Today, we sent a joint statement to the media, in partnership with Norfolk-based conservation organisations and land owners, to raise our grave concerns about the impact of the Government's recent announcements on planning policies and farmland subsidies on Norfolk's wildlife and wild spaces. You can read the full statement below.
We urge you to join us and take action for nature today.
“The Government’s recent announcements read like an open attack on nature, putting Norfolk's landscape, people and prosperity in great peril. At a time of biodiversity and climate emergency, these decisions represent a devastating U-turn on promises made in the Government’s manifesto and their 25 year Environment Plan, and are made without public consent.
“The Government are proposing the removal of some policies that control building and development, the creation of ‘Investment Zones’, fast-tracking major construction projects and a wholesale review of environmental support to farmers and land managers.
“The Government are dismissing environmental protections as unnecessary ‘burdens’, and pitting nature recovery against the economy and food production. Yet Norfolk’s prosperity depends upon everything that nature provides – from farming and tourism to clean air and water.
“Removing environmental regulations will allow development on some of our most precious landscapes and pollution to poison our rivers and coast, causing irreversible harm to wildlife, people and business. For example, the proposed Norwich Western Link road has been added to the UK Government’s list of fast-tracked developments. This could spell disaster for one of Norfolk’s most unique landscapes and the wildlife that calls it home.
“Our county’s special and inspiring landscapes, including the much-loved North Norfolk Coast, the wildlife-rich Norfolk Broads and the unique Brecks are at the very heart of our wellbeing, our livelihoods and our mental health. Losing any part of our natural landscape, such as rare chalk streams, ancient woodland, heathlands and wildlife friendly farmland would diminish all of Norfolk and its people.
“The Environmental Land Management Scheme set out to support farmers to restore and protect our natural landscape, alongside producing high quality food. It is being developed through extensive consultation with land managers and conservationists. It is not perfect, but it is science-based, evidence-led and recognises that wildlife friendly farming benefits food production as well as providing other environmental services such as reducing pollution and flooding in our communities.
“The Government’s Food Security Report 2021 is clear: ‘‘The biggest medium to long term risk to the UK’s domestic production comes from climate change and other environmental pressures like soil degradation, water quality and biodiversity”. Any dilution or delay of the existing scheme could compromise the support a broad church of land managers and conservationists need to help restore Norfolk’s wildlife and natural landscape.
“Collectively, we work across Norfolk, in our countryside, village, towns and cities, and know first-hand how much the people of Norfolk value nature, and their willingness to protect and encourage our wildlife.
“Simply put, what is good for nature is good for everyone. There is no way to prosper without a healthy environment and this requires protection and support at a national scale.
“It is vital that we let the Government know the true value we place on a healthy natural world, before it’s too late. We urge you to contact your local MP and Councillor today.”
Signed by:
Patrick Barkham, President, Norfolk Wildlife Trust
Alice Liddle, Chair of Trustees, Norfolk Wildlife Trust
Eliot Lyne, CEO, Norfolk Wildlife Trust
Steve Rowland, RSPB Area Manager (Norfolk & Lincolnshire)
Victoria Egan, General Manager, National Trust Norfolk Coast and Broads Portfolio
David Diggens, CEO, Norfolk Rivers Trust
Dr Geoff Brighty, Chair, Norfolk Rivers Trust
Chris Dady, Chairman, CPRE The Countryside Charity (Norfolk)
Argus Gaythorne-Hardy, Trustee, WildEast
Dominic Buscall, Project Manager, Wild Ken Hill
The Rt Revd Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich and the Church of England’s Lead Bishop for the Environment
Neil Punchard, Managing Director, Norfolk Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group
Tony Leech, Director, Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society
Dr Jo Parmenter, Norfolk-based ecologist
Dr Andrew Boswell, Climate Emergency Planning and Policy
David Pett, Stop the Wensum Link
Dr Iain Robinson, Wensum Woodlanders Association
Professor Iain Barr, Professor of Field Ecology, University of East Anglia
Willem Buttinger, Norwich Friends of the Earth
Header image: Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION