We all know that many of the special places we love in South East England are under threat, through proposed weakening of the European legislation that protects our finest habitats and species – the Nature Directives. Places like the wonderful Dungeness, Pulborough and our fine reserve here could be at threat if we do not keep fighting.
What are the Nature Directives?
From the Scilly Isles via the Norfolk Broads and Leighton Moss to Abernethy, we are fortunate in the UK to have fantastic places for wildlife. These habitats and key species that thrive there are protected thanks to European legislation.
What is the RSPB saying?
We believe the Nature Directives remain fit for purpose, and that the European Commission should be focussing on improving implementation across European countries, rather than revising the laws themselves.
Better for wildlife: Opening the Nature Directives would risk weakening protection – and regardless of outcome would result in a lengthy process which would distract energy away from much-needed implementation as we head towards biodiversity targets in 2020.
Better for business: Responsible businesses who engage proactively understand the need to protect the environment and have learnt to work with the legislation. What business needs is certainty – any opening of the Nature Directives would lead to huge uncertainty, making it hard to plan and secure investment for development.
Better for people: Protection of the environment matters to people. It delivers benefits that far outweigh the costs, from health to securing ecosystem services.
We’ve fought many battles to ensure these places remain protected. Over the summer, together with hundreds of other organisations in the UK and across Europe we achieved a massive demonstration of public support for the Directives. Over 520,000 people engaged in the public consultation on their future, over 65,000 of whom were RSPB staff and supporters. Our voices opened political doors and it’s changing the language we’re hearing from many of the decision-makers and politicians, but the fight isn’t won yet.
So here are our next steps to help defend the Directives. Following an amazing response to the consultation earlier in 2015, when over 520,000 people across Europe showed support for the Directives, we are encouraging everyone to take further action.
RSPB Rainham Marshes - there are owls, ravens, marsh harriers, wildfowl and waders galore, bearded tits and kingfishers out there!
Why now?
The European Commission has published its mid-term review of the EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy. We are already behind on meeting targets and we believe that strong Directives are crucial to allow us to meet them.
On 16 December, at the European Council of Ministers in Brussels, Environment Ministers will agree a response to the review. Rory Stewart MP will represent the UK and, as one of the most ‘anti Directive’ governments, we want our campaigning to influence their position to be at least neutral.
What can I do?
E-action
Write an email, from your MP before 9 December, asking them to contact Rory Stewart so he defends the Nature Directives on behalf of the UK public on 16 December. You can find the blank form here by clicking on ‘Ask Rory to defend nature’.
Social media (from your personal Twitter account)
The Nature Directives have underpinned almost everything we have achieved together for nature over the last 30+ years, so let’s do everything we can now to give nature the best hope for the future. Take action now, and encourage all your friends and colleagues to do so too!
Thank you for your support