Although the NFU says that it has written to every MP on the subject of CAP reform they don’t put that letter (or those letters) on their website as far as I can see. What they do say on their website is that they are ‘increasingly infuriated‘ with the government position. Only the farming industry…
Tag: Defra
Caroline Lucas – Wildlife MP of 2013
Through gaining over 600 of the 1546 votes cast, Caroline Lucas was far and away the choice of readers of this blog as the MP who had done most for wildlife in 2013. Here are a few lessons that might come out of this poll. First place: Caroline Lucas, Green Party, 39% of the votes…
Wildlife MP of 2013 – you choose
Wildlife doesn’t have a vote. If the interests of wildlife are to be served, then those interests need to be voiced by us and by our representatives in the various parliaments around the UK. Here is a list (alphabetical order) of six Westminster MPs who have made an impact on wildlife during 2013. Who would…
Writing to my MP – 1
I’ve been telling people that they should write to their MPs as I travel around the country giving talks. Politics is at the heart of almost all solutions to environmental problems. So, I wouldn’t ask you to do it if I wouldn’t do it myself, so here is the first of monthly letters that I…
CAP consultation – here’s one I prepared earlier (and have updated slightly)
In each part of the UK, the governments are consulting on how the tweaked Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) should be implemented. I have drafted my response to the Defra consultation and here it is for people to comment on. If you like it you can simply copy and paste it into the consultation and send…
A badger isn’t just for Christmas but…
Ralph Underhill and I have got together to bring you this set of three highly festive and wildlife-friendly Christmas cards. We thought that you might like to send them to the following people: Peter Kendall The National Farmers’ Union Agriculture House Stoneleigh Park Stoneleigh Warwickshire CV8 2TZ ————————————————————————————————————————————— Owen Paterson, Secretary of State George Eustice,…
Four tories
I was quite shocked by Owen Paterson’s performance on the Today programme on Tuesday in response to the Nature Check report (click here to listen, at 01:34 and 17 seconds). That is, shocked in the sense of outraged rather than surprised. The gist of Paterson’s comments was that the views of the 41 organisations signing…
Nature Check
Today, 41 organisations, under the banner of Wildlife and Countryside Link, publish their assessment of Government’s progress over the last 12 months, on its own stated commitments (a report called Nature Check). In four areas Government gets the green light indicating good progress, in nine areas a red light for failure, and in 12 areas…
Wildlife Crime – Westminster Hall debate
Westminster Hall debates are important ways by which Parliament can discuss matters of importance outside the House of Commons chamber. Earlier this month there was a Westminster Hall debate on Wildlife Crime sought by the members of the Environmental Audit Committee to give the Government a nudge after the EAC published their excellent report on…
An open letter to the new Defra Ministers
To George Eustice and Dan Rogerson. Dear Ministers Congratulations on your new ministerial appointments. You have an unpredictable time, but no more than 568 days (less holidays, the run up to the General Election, time off sick and being moved on or sacked) to make a difference. Given the uncertainties of Ministerial tenure you can’t…