SOS# DefendNature

NATURE conservation groups have issued a rallying call to the public to fight growth policies of the new U.K. government threatening environmental protection. 

The new administration of prime minister Liz Truss plans to reverse commitments of the Conservative Party’s manifesto at the 2019 election putting vital natural green spaces at risk. 

Leading wildlife charities the RSPB, The Wildlife Trust, the National Trust and the head of watchdog Natural England called on members of the public to contact their MP about the attack on the most fundamental legal protections of nature. 

The combined membership of 15 million will tackle the proposals the groups say strike at the heart of nature and environment protections. 

The government plans to lift the ban on fracking, consider scrapping important post – Brexit rewards for farmers implementing nature – friendly land – management schemes and remove important protections for wildlife.  

Also 570 laws derived from EU directives controlling UK environmental action such as sewage in rivers, water quality and clean air are to be dropped as well as habitat regulations that have protected areas for wildlife for thirty years.  

Low – tax investment schemes from Cornwall to Cumbria to encourage development plan to relax environmental protections. 

The Wildlife Trust said this fundamental attack on nature goes against the mandate the government was elected to govern on. It is asking its members to join the campaign to #defend nature and either contact their MPs on Twitter or by email.  

The head of watchdog Natural England Tony Juniper said: “Even bankers need to eat, drink and inhale clean air”.