We have to #defendnature now!

The EU is reviewing key nature laws. Despite the laws being found appropriate and effective, the Habitats and Birds Directives are at risk of being weakened, leaving our freshwater wildlife even more vulnerable.

European nature laws protect many of our freshwater plants and animals, as well as special freshwater habitats, making it illegal to disturb or damage them.  They force developers and local planning authorities to consider them. They also set up the network of protected sites known as SACs and SPAs, giving us a duty to look after them and keep them in ‘favourable condition’.

Whilst some of these places, some of this species, will still be protected, in some way, by UK laws, the loss of the EU laws could pave the way for further declines and degradation of an already struggling freshwater network.

We can all do something about this threat right now. The EU is running a public consultation until the 24th July 2015. Over 100 organisations in UK  are promoting and supporting this public consultation. Adding your voice is easy: fill in a simple form and you can show your support for nature.

The State of Nature report in 2013 showed that UK wildlife is declining, and recent State of Nature in the EU report shows that Europe’s wildlife continues to be eroded: now is not the time to weaken the laws that protects wildlife.

Habitats like the Mediterranean temporary ponds on the Lizard in Cornwall, and Hatchet Pond in the New Forest simply would not get the protection and support they need. Species like the Natterjack Toad and Freshwater Pearl Mussel rely on these nature laws for protection and access to resources necessary to bring them back from the brink of extinction.

Please add your voice and share this campaign – hundreds of thousands of voices cannot be ignored. #defendnature

You can read more about this issue on Mark Avery’s blog, in the latest Natura 2000 newsletter, the Joint Links press release, and the Nature Alert website.