The Lincolnshire Bird Club

New body for countryside created

The new body will aim to deliver recommendations by Lord Haskins

A new government agency for the countryside will be created when three
existing organisations are merged.

Natural England will take over responsibility for resource management,
conservation, biodiversity, landscape, access and recreation in rural areas.


From Sunday, English Nature will combine with parts of the Countryside
Agency and Rural Development Service.

A report by Lord Haskins in 2003 said the current number of rural agencies
was confusing and too bureaucratic.

'Environmental champion'

He recommended merging some of the many different agencies for the
countryside into a new integrated rural body.

Natural England is designed to be a "strong, independent and powerful
environmental champion".

A spokesman for Natural England said: "The aim is to meet the priorities as
highlighted in the Haskins Report in rural delivery, wildlife conservation
and countryside access."

The three bodies have been working together as a "confederation of partners"
since April 2005.

Proposals to set up Natural England were contained in the Natural
Environment and Rural Communities Bill.

The handover of powers takes place on Sunday and the Sheffield-based agency
will be formally launched on 11 October.

The Times September 30, 2006

Preserve our natural world

Sir,

Natural England comes into being tomorrow as an amalgam of the
Government's wildlife watchdog English Nature, the Rural Development Service and the Countryside Agency. Its creation is welcome and constitutes the biggest shake-up in conservation in England since the Second World War.

The new body faces many demanding tasks, not least tackling threats to sites of special scientific interest, reversing declines of wildlife and
preventing damage to our environment. It will need to ensure an economically viable countryside, promote greater access to the natural world and help to establish a network of protected areas in British seas as part of a marine Act, which conservation groups are working hard to achieve.

Equally important will be its responsibility for the management of the
countryside through schemes that reward farmers for encouraging wildlife,
reducing water pollution and enhancing landscapes and public access. Last
year's EU budget, brokered by the UK, jeopardises funding for these schemes.

It is time to better protect and restore our countryside, urban greenspaces
and seas for the benefit of both people and wildlife. This will not be
achieved unless the Government commits adequate funding over the long term.

Arlin Rickard
Director, Association of Rivers Trusts

Amy Coyte
Chief Executive, Bat Conservation Trust

Martin Warren
Chief Executive, Butterfly Conservation

Shaun Spiers
Chief Executive, Campaign to Protect Rural England

Dr Mike Heyworth
Director, Council for British Archaeology

Ruth Chambers
Acting Chief Executive, Council for National Parks

Tony Juniper
Executive Director, Friends of the Earth

Tony Gent
Chief Executive, Herpetological Conservation Trust

Sam Fanshawe
Director of Conservation, Marine Conservation Society

Kate Ashbrook
General Secretary, Open Spaces Society

Dr Jayne Manley
Director of UK Operations, Plantlife International

Dr Stephen Head
Chief Executive, Ponds Conservation: The Water Habitats Trust

Christine Elliott
Chief Executive, The Ramblers' Association

Graham Wynne
Chief Executive, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

Stephanie Hilborne
Chief Executive, The Wildlife Trusts

Chris Butler-Stroud
Chief Executive, Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society

Martin Spray
Chief Executive, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust

Sue Holden
Chief Executive, The Woodland Trust

Paul King
Campaign Director, WWF-UK