Taken from the BCT website
The Bat Conservation Trust is dismayed by George Osborne’s attack on wildlife within the Autumn budget statement. The Chancellor criticised the burden of ‘endless social and environmental goals’ on industry and described the Habitats Regulations, one of the primary pieces of legislation protecting some of the UK’s most important wildlife sites and vulnerable species, including bats, as a ‘ridiculous cost on British business’, claiming that they amounted to ‘gold plating’ on European legislation. This rhetoric is very damaging and could lead to a dramatic reduction in the level of protection afforded our wildlife and ultimately threatens the survival of species in the UK. Defra is now set to carry out a review of the regulations.
The government’s recent UK National Ecosystem Assessment (NEA) clearly demonstrated that we rely on biodiversity and the natural environment to provide vital ecosystem services essential to continuing economic prosperity, human health and wellbeing. The NEA highlighted that environmental issues can only be successfully addressed through an appropriate mix of measures including effective regulation.
“This is not about a choice between economic growth or conserving wildlife, as caricatured by the Chancellor. The Habitats Regulations is an essential mechanism for safeguarding vulnerable species and habitats whilst ensuring social and economic needs are met. The Chancellor needs to acknowledge that in the long term the health of our natural environment underpins our wealth and well-being and to stop undermining wildlife protection.” Julia Hanmer BCT Chief Executive
Bat surveys 