Birmingham Friends of the Earth Action Briefing Dec 98/Jan 99

Destruction of a SSSI sparks action

Supermarkets should find out where their potatoes are grown and boycott farmers who destroy valuable wildlife habitats, according to Friends of the Earth Herefordshire.

The suggestion was made in early October after the destruction of floodplain meadow next to the River Wye in Herefordshire. The riverside, designated a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) had already been sprayed with powerful chemicals by the owners. Despite protests then, attracting limited coverage in the national press, the defoliation continued; this time using a plough.

The land is destined to become a potato field. This means that it will be intensively farmed with fertilisers and other chemicals. These chemicals at other locations have been will be washed into rivers and watercourses causing damage there. The hope is that if Supermarkets refused to purchase crops grown at the expense of our diminishing wildlife, farmers will not initiate further destruction. The Supermarkets' purchasing arrangements of late have been portrayed as heavy handed; this is a chance for partial redemption. The issue extends a little further than this, as having normal agricultural land set-aside surely means that there are already more than adequate areas of land available.

Herefordshire Friends of the Earth campaigner Rob Price said: "When will 'stewards of the countryside' such as the Environment Agency be given authority to limit damaging operations beyond the riverbank? This episode shows that the voluntary approach leaves our most precious wildlife sites and landscapes open to overnight destruction. There could be no clearer indication that if the Government is serious about its conservation promises it must strengthen the law. The Government must grant sufficient powers to responsible bodies to prevent this type of damage."

John Davison

Legal protection for conservation sites like this is exactly what the FOE 'Wildplaces' campaign and Wildlife Charter are all about. Help us and 22 other UK environmental organisations make better wildlife protection a reality.

Get involved..!

The Urban Wildlife Trust

The Trust runs projects throughout the West Midlands including: Centre of the Earth (nature and education), EcoPark (organic nursery), and Sot's Hole (ancient woodland in Sandwell). They are always looking for volunteers. Contact them at Unit 310 Jubilee Trades Centre, 130 Pershore Road, Birmingham, B5 6ND