Nature groups back environment proposals

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The Campaign to Protect Rural England and the Woodland Trust have both welcomed the government's white paper on the natural environment, the first for 20 years.

Key recommendations include New Nature Improvement Areas (NIAs), biodiversity offsetting, an annual statement of green accounts for UK Plc, a new environmental volunteering initiative and improved urban green spaces.

Environment secretary Caroline Spelman said:

"In the past we have undervalued what our natural environment gives us.

"This white paper changes that, because we cannot afford to make the same mistakes again.

"We can all gain from the economic, social, and health benefits nature gives us, but we need to recognise that if we withdraw something from Mother Nature’s Bank, we’ve got to put something back in to ensure that the environment has a healthy balance and a secure future."

Ben Stafford, head of campaigns at CPRE, said:

“Reading through the commitments in this white paper, there is much that will get three cheers from those who love and want to improve the English countryside.”

He praised Spelman for highlighting “the intrinsic value of nature”.

Stafford also sounded a note of caution.

“The big disappointment of the white paper is what it says – and doesn’t say – about planning. The planning system has been the most powerful tool for environmental improvement and protection over the past 50 years.

“The white paper contains few details about the environmental role of planning.

“Ministers will need to make this explicit link if they are serious about protecting the natural environment.

“The big question now is whether the whole of government can be relied upon to support the good work of Defra and the aims of this white paper.”

Sue Holden, chief executive of the Woodland Trust, said there is much to welcome in the government's plans.

"We are pleased its recognises woods and trees as cost-effective vehicles for delivering a range of services to society, from flood alleviation to public health benefits - as evidenced by last week's independent National Ecosystem Assessment (NEA)," she said.

"The white paper acknowledges the Read Report's conclusions on the role of forestry in combating climate change, and champions the importance of woodland creation, woodland management and the restoration of planted ancient woodland sites (PAWS) damaged by conifers. The Read Report recommended woodland creation of 10,000 ha per annum.

"What it lacks however - worryingly - given the NEA highlights the decline in the UK carbon forest sink in the last 20 years - is a tree planting target for England. All other parts of the UK have set a planting figure, so why not England?

“We need an ambitious target and a timetable for action, to match the scale of the challenge in one of the least wooded countries in Europe.”