Appendix 1: Nature Check 2013
Wildlife and Countryside Link's Nature Check 2013
analysed the Government's natural environment commitments. They
rated 25 commitments as either green, amber or red (representing
good progress, moderate progress or failing, respectively). Four
commitments were rated as green, 12 as amber and nine as red.
Compared with an assessment the previous year, 10% had improved
but 20% had worsened.
Red ratings
· We will implement
the Biodiversity Strategy and build natural capital through Local
Nature Partnerships.
· We will maintain the
Green Belt, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and other environmental
protections, and create a new designation-similar to SSSIs-to
protect green areas of particular importance to local communities.
· Implement recommendations
from the Habitats and Wild Birds Directives Implementation Review.
· We will promote high
standards of farm animal welfare.
· Implement recommendations
from the Macdonald Task Force's review of farming regulations
to reduce burdens and increase responsibility.
· Deliver a new framework
for achieving the dual objectives of increasing food production
and enhancing the environment.
· We will take forward
the findings of the Pitt Review to improve our flood defences,
and prevent unnecessary building in areas of high flood risk.
· We will implement
a carefully managed and science-led policy of badger control as
part of a balanced package of measures to control bovine TB and
support the cattle industry.
· We will designate
Marine Conservation Zones in 2013 and reduce the regulatory burden
of marine licensing while maintaining a high level of protection
in the marine environment.
Amber ratings
· We will reform the
water industry to enhance competition and improve conservation.
· Influence reform in
Europe to support [a] strong, sustainable agricultural…[industry].
· We will implement
EU regulations to prevent the trade in illegal logging.
· We will tackle the
smuggling and illegal trade of wildlife through our new Border
Police Force.
· We are committed to
introducing the right of coastal access under the Marine and Coastal
Access Act 2009.
· Protect and enhance
our urban and natural environment to improve public health and
wellbeing.
· Improve water quality.
· We will take action
to tackle the illegal trafficking of protected or endangered wildlife
species.
· We will plant a million
trees by 2015 and put English forestry on a more sustainable footing,
building on the report by the Independent Panel on Forestry.
· We will create a presumption
in favour of sustainable development in the planning system.
· Continue our radical
reform of the planning system to give neighbourhoods much greater
ability to shape the places in which they live.
· [We] will seek to
introduce primary legislation at the earliest opportunity to…ban
travelling circuses from using performing wild animals.
Green ratings
· We will press for
a ban on ivory sales.
· We will oppose the
resumption of commercial whaling.
· We will negotiate
reform of the EU Common Fisheries Policy to support sustainable
fish stocks, a prosperous fishing industry and a health marine
environment.
· We will implement
the Ash Dieback Control Strategy and consider the findings from
the Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity Expert Taskforce.
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