OEP considers next steps as Defra disappoints on protected sites

(by Karma Loveday)

The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has said Defra’s response to its report on implementation of environmental laws relating to protected land and freshwater sites for nature is “disappointing and will not deliver the urgent action needed”.

OEP chief executive Natalie Prosser explained: “In our report, published in December, we concluded that the legal framework was adequate but was not being implemented effectively, or at the pace and scale needed to meet the intended outcomes. We added that maintaining the status quo will not be enough and that significant change will be needed if sites are to be not only protected in law but also restored in practice.

“Government itself reported in January this year that only two of 71 protected habitats are in favourable conservation status; nearly half (48%) of habitats are in an unfavourable condition and are getting worse. Of 74 species other than birds fewer than one in three are in favourable status. For birds, more than half of 221 species are either Red-Listed and/or Threatened with extinction. The Red List for Birds of Conservation Concern now includes 70 species and is longer now than ever before.

“However, Defra’s response to our report largely points to the continuation of existing work, much of which was underway when we carried out our review, and commits to doing little that is new or different. Government needs to go further and faster. 

“In light of the response, we will be considering what further steps we can take to contribute to the improved implementation of key aspects of this important area of environmental law.”