"As you may know some biologists believe that we are currently experiencing a majoor mass extinction of species, and it is suggested by some that this in a large part due to human activities which: damage wildlife habitats; spread non-native invasive species; cause harmful pollution; reduce the space availabe for wildlife; and over exploit natural resources (e.g. by excessive fishing).
One of the best ways we have of preventing this loss is by protecting natural areas by use of EU Directives such as the Habitats Directive, Birds Directive and Water Framework Directive.
Watching wildlfie and visiting the special habitats it inhabits is an important part of my life; plus the services provided by nature such as pollination, clean water, food are essential for all of humanity.
Please use the February Plenary vote as an opportunity to demonstrate your support for nature and to defend the Nature Directives, by voting in favour of the Environment Committee’s report on the Mid-term Review of the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy."
Golden Plover, Lapwing and Starlings on the Northumberland Coast Special Protection Area. I took this photo in December 2013 when I visited the area, which is protected under the EU Birds Directive.
REPLIES
Jan. 2016
From Daniel Dalton, Conservative.
Dear Ms Birks,
Thank you for contacting me about the Mid-term Review of the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy.
In late December, the European Parliament’s Environment committee adopted a report on biodiversity in Europe. In short, it called for the full implementation and enforcement of all existing nature laws.
This report was initiated by the Conservatives in the European Parliament and was adopted by a large majority.
As you note in your correspondence, in February this report will reach the plenary session in Strasbourg and I can confirm that I will be voting in favour.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Yours sincerely,
Daniel Dalton MEP
22.01.16
Dear Ms Wendy Birks,
22.01.16
Dear Ms Wendy Birks,
Thank you for email regarding the importance of the European Nature Directives to biodiversity in the UK.
The Birds and Habitats Directives form the cornerstone of Europe’s nature conservation policy, and have had a huge impact in protecting Europe’s most threatened bird species — including the nightjar and woodlark which can be found here in the West Midlands. It is disappointing therefore to see the Directives threatened under the review.
I am committed to keeping this crucial legislation as it is, enabling wildlife to flourish for local communities to enjoy and I support the RSPB as well as over 100,000 people from the UK who have registered their views against changing them. I and other Labour Party MEPs will work to ensure that the fitness check is not used as an excuse to water down or weaken the legislation. You can read my question to the Commission on the need to maintain the Directives here.
In September last year I visited Rugeley Heath, Cannock Chase, to discuss the Directives review with the RSPB. With the Chase being the smallest area of ‘Outstanding Natural Beauty’ in England, and the only place in the West Midlands that can be relied on to see breeding Nightjar and Woodlark, it is vital that this crucial legislation is kept as it is to enable wildlife to flourish.
Thank you again for taking the time to write to me and should you have any further queries please do not hesitate to get in contact.
Kind regards,
pp. Victoria Fowler
Senior Parliamentary Assistant
Neena Gill MEP
25.01.2016
Dear Constituent
Thank you for your email regarding the mid-term review of the EU's Biodiversity Strategy. I apologise for my standard response, but I have had many emails regarding this matter and I wanted to respond to you as quickly as possible.
The importance of biodiversity should not be underestimated, nor should the value it provides to our economy and personal wellbeing. Indeed, without biodiversity, our necessary ecosystem services are jeopardised and the natural resilience of the Earth for addressing new challenges is undermined. The EU's Biodiversity Strategy recognises the pivotal role biodiversity has to play and I therefore welcome this report.
The primary aim of the mid-term review is to assess whether the EU is on track to halting biodiversity loss by 2020. At the mid-term, progress is encouraging. The threats posed by biodiversity are increasingly recognised and this serves as an important foundation for future success. However, while seemingly positive, it is also clear that much more still needs to be achieved. Nature's capacity to clean air and water, to pollinate crops and to limit the impacts of catastrophes continues to be threatened and such threats present our society and economy with potentially unforeseen costs. It is therefore evident that until more meaningful action is taken, there is little hope of reversing the current trends.
Reducing the administrative and other unnecessary burdens on Member States, alongside a greater intensification in ambition and effort will be imperative if further and more long lasting progress is to be made.
Improving policy integration is also crucial. Agriculture is particularly important and whilst recognising that the current Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) provides a range of instruments that can contribute to supporting biodiversity, there is nevertheless scope to reform CAP in order to achieve more environmental outcomes. The current Greening rules are for example, too complex and are an inefficient means for delivering environmental benefits. A strengthened Pillar 2 of the CAP would offer the potential to achieve better diversity and deliver more environmental public goods.
The full implementation of the nature directives will also prove beneficial. The current review by the European Commission of these directives should therefore be viewed positively as well as the Commission's decision to undertake a thorough and evidence-based fitness check to ensure that the Directives are functioning effectively. I am a firm believer in the benefits of evidence-based policymaking and so this fitness check should be allowed to run its course so that discussion can be informed by the evidence that it is gathering rather than seeking to pre-judge it.
To date, EU biodiversity legislation has made a significant contribution towards the protection of sensitive ecosystems and endangered species while simultaneously working to restore natural habitats. If such steps are taken, I am confident that this report will only add to this. It is for these reasons that I intend to vote in favour of this report.
Yours sincerely
Anthea McIntyre MEP
Conservative - West Midlands Region
A: The Chapel, Wythall Estate, Walford, Ross-on-Wye
27.01.16
Hi Wendy,
Thank your email on the importance of the European Nature Directives.
The Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive form the cornerstone of the EU's nature conservation policy and have been central to the protection and preservation of biodiversity in the West Midlands.
As part of its reform programme the European Commission has identified both the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive as legislation that requires a 'fitness check'. As part of the check the Commission is evaluating the effectiveness of the directives.
The Commission wants to simplify EU law and reduce the regulatory burden. While I support the idea of simplifying EU law where this will make legislation clearer and easier to understand and implement, I’m also wary of calls to 'slash red tape'.
We need to make it clear that there should be no watering down of vital environmental and social protections.
As part of the fitness check, the Commission launched a public consultation, which asked respondents to rate the benefits of the Directives. The response to the consultation was incredible, with over 100,000 respondents from the UK alone speaking up in support of the Directives.
I’m committed to protecting the EU Nature Directives and will work to ensure that legislation isn’t weakened. That’s why Labour MEPs will be voting in favour of the Environment Committee’s report on the review of the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy.
I'll continue listening to people in the West Midlands about this particular issue, Wendy - And I'll be sure to update you on any developments.
You can follow what I'm doing in the European Parliament by joining the conversation on Facebook. Just click the big button at the bottom of this email and then like my page.
Best wishes,
Siôn
Siôn Simon
Labour Member of the European Parliament for the West Midlands
28.01.16
Dear Mrs Birks,
27.01.16
Hi Wendy,
Thank your email on the importance of the European Nature Directives.
The Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive form the cornerstone of the EU's nature conservation policy and have been central to the protection and preservation of biodiversity in the West Midlands.
As part of its reform programme the European Commission has identified both the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive as legislation that requires a 'fitness check'. As part of the check the Commission is evaluating the effectiveness of the directives.
The Commission wants to simplify EU law and reduce the regulatory burden. While I support the idea of simplifying EU law where this will make legislation clearer and easier to understand and implement, I’m also wary of calls to 'slash red tape'.
We need to make it clear that there should be no watering down of vital environmental and social protections.
As part of the fitness check, the Commission launched a public consultation, which asked respondents to rate the benefits of the Directives. The response to the consultation was incredible, with over 100,000 respondents from the UK alone speaking up in support of the Directives.
I’m committed to protecting the EU Nature Directives and will work to ensure that legislation isn’t weakened. That’s why Labour MEPs will be voting in favour of the Environment Committee’s report on the review of the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy.
I'll continue listening to people in the West Midlands about this particular issue, Wendy - And I'll be sure to update you on any developments.
You can follow what I'm doing in the European Parliament by joining the conversation on Facebook. Just click the big button at the bottom of this email and then like my page.
Best wishes,
Siôn
Siôn Simon
Labour Member of the European Parliament for the West Midlands
28.01.16
Dear Mrs Birks,
Thank you for your email. We in UKIP believe in the importance of preserving nature reserves and natural habitats for wildlife in Britain and in Europe.
However, we believe that this task should be a national, not a European, responsibility and we will therefore oppose new EU legislation in this area. Nevertheless, we will support all amendments aimed at improving the existing legislation on this issue.
UKIP strongly believes that the best people to decide on natural habitats in Britain are the British people. We do not trust the unelected EU Commission to decide on the protection of the environment and animal welfare. The EU has caused irreparable damage with its environmental policy. It has destroyed our fish stocks and caused widespread deforestation with its policy on bio-fuels.
Thank you again for writing to us and we shall certainly keep in mind your opinion on this legislative proposal.
Best regards
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