Dear Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
You’ve been in the job for a year (although you had time off in the election campaign I know).
What have you achieved for the natural environment? I can’t, honestly, think of a thing. Can you?
How confident are you that the UK will meet the Aichi biodiversity targets? Personally, I think the UK will fall far short but you’ll probably be doing another job by then, won’t you?
Could you do one thing for me please? I know it’s a big ask, but, could you personally and Defra corporately, add your Twitter accounts to this thunderclap which asks for a recovery in Hen Harrier numbers. That is what you and Defra want isn’t it? Sometimes it’s so difficult to tell…
#HaveYouSeenHenry – he’ll be round your way some time before Hen Harrier Day.
Have a lovely anniversary.
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Dear Liza Truss. DO YOU JOB PROPERLY, ALL OF YOUR JOB – IT’S WHAT WE PAY YOU FOR?
We know that she is pleased that “important” birds like linnets and goldfinches are doing well, but is not so keen on lynx reintroduction in Norfolk – showing her ignorance by stating that people, livestock and wildlife could be at risk. Perhaps, someone should tell her that there are no recorded attacks on people, that there is a low risk to sheep and to also ask her what wildlife would be harmed, other than the main prey of roe deer/(muntjac?) and occasional fox.
Well she’s, errmm….
And there was…
And….
Umm….
Isn’t there a Nature and Wobbling Act coming up. Perhaps she can have her picture and signature in the front of that. Possibly one of those pictures posing with some cute British livestock (Aaahh!) before it goes off to slaughter (Oh).
Or posing with a hen harrier or a badger or a nightingale wood or a proposed Marine Conservation Zone or one of those Forestry Commission woodlands with the mysterious pegs in, before…
Or perhaps with the good folk of one of the Local Nature Partnerships, before…
Oh dear.
And just when British wildlife needs all the proactive support it can possibly get, it instead gets a….
Still, better than OP though?
Are there any threats to the biodiversity of this country / planet other than the shooting of red grouse and cross-eyed harriers?
You wouldn’t think so reading this blog.
We need to change the way we live, but that’s not an easy thing to say or do…
I look forward to reading the same old posts this time next year.
Steve – or you could just go away. That’s allowed. It’s really up to you.
No thanks,
What I say is valid.
Address my points, maybe?
Steve – you didn’t make any points.
I disagree and feel that the point is explicit, but never mind.
The point I am making is that the constant focus on Hen Harriers has sidelined issues like habitat loss and climate change for a long time now. These are the issues that are of fundamental importance and closely align with wider goals of sustainability and a more benevolent use of resources etc.
So much emphasis on one or two topics seems to me to be akin to the navel gazing over who to vote for in the Labour leadership elections or the general election, as whoever wins, pretty much the same economic policies that largely determine the way things are, will be implemented.
That’s it. Worth discussing instead of getting shirty over, surely?
Steve – you haven’t noticed all the mentions of greenhouse gas emissions and burning then? Or the quotes from the Committee on Climate Change? Do you read the blogs?
I’m proud to say that I have had a stand up row with Liz in a field talking about protecting stone curlews in her constituancy. Although not SoS for Defra at the time, it was clear that her view was that nature was a blooding inconviniance to the onward march of industrialised agriculture. If you want a good laugh, watch her speech at the Conservative Party conference….ouch! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gygpvd9_Ra0
Paul – thanks!
Mark
I could count up the posts concentrating on HH / grouse and then those concentrating on wider and more important issues, to make the point. But that would be churlish.
Instead I will point you towards the recent study that was quoted – in rather timely fashion – yesterday on BBC R4 and The Times etc, detailing species – such as the Hen Harrier – that are predicted to become even rarer in the UK due to the effects of climate change.
Deckchairs and Titanic come to mind.