RSPB reaction to Government attack on vital nature laws

The RSPB is deeply concerned about today’s proposals for investment zones and “liberalised planning rules” in places as widespread as Norfolk, West of England, West Midlands and Tees Valley. Alongside the potential powers in the new Retained EU Law Bill, Government has effectively launched a full-on attack on the laws that protect nature.  

Whatever people’s views on Europe, laws such as the habitats regulations have played a vital role in protecting our very best places for wildlife the length and breadth of England. Nature has been declining in the UK for decades. The laws that are now under attack were introduced to protect what we had left. Without them nature would be in even worse trouble. They’ve given us hope that some of our rarest and most vulnerable wildlife can still recover. 

The Habitats Regulations have shown time and time again that they can effectively protect nature. They have steered development away from our most important wildlife habitats and protected some of our most vulnerable species. They provide clarity and certainty for landowners and business and, after three decades, are well understood. For this reason, numerous sectors, from housing developers to port development, have spoken out in support of them. 

Rather than once again attacking them, we need the UK Government to accept that they are vital and invest in the additional protections nature really needs. Only then can we drive nature’s recovery – a goal the UK Government has committed to domestically and globally, having set a legally binding commitment to halt the decline of wildlife by 2030.  

However, if the Government pursues the course we have heard described today and rips up these laws, it is effectively abandoning this promise.  

Fundamentally what is being proposed fails to understand not only the love people in this country have for wildlife, but the fundamental point that a healthy environment is vital in underpinning the nation’s own social and economic wellbeing. This was described clearly in the Government's own findings on the relationship between nature and economy the Dasgupta Review. 

Instead of attacking nature, we call on Government in the run up to the forthcoming global conference on nature to show its ambition, and in planning for prosperity to work with nature, to protect it, and realise it’s benefits. 

We call on all our supporters to contact their MP directly and ask them to act in support of these vital laws.  

You can find out more about the Habitat Regulations here.