We face mass extinctions in our back yard says TV Chris
BRITAIN faces an “ecological apocalypse” and “a mass extinction in our own back yard”, TV naturalist Chris Packham warned yesterday, as he launched a People’s Manifesto for Wildlife.
The 200-point battle plan, drawn up with the help of 17 experts, includes twinning every primary school with a farm, replanting 180,000 miles of hedgerows ripped out for intensive farming and 10 per cent of every farm managed for wildlife.
The manifesto, unveiled before Saturday’s People’s March for Wildlife in London’s Hyde Park, wants 30 per cent of UK waters declared off limits to commercial fishing, an end to driven grouse shooting, the reintroduction of species like beaver and lynx and a scallop dredging ban.
It urges people to keep cats in at night to stop them killing wild birds and says they must have collars with bells. He also believes nature reserves should be dog-free and dog-walking hotspots should be created away from wildlife-rich areas.
Mr Packham said: “We are presiding over an ecological apocalypse and precipitating a mass extinction in our own back yard.
Damaging
“But, vitally, it is not too late. There is action we can take.
“There is a whole raft of ideas in the manifesto that are very practical – things that can be done today and make a difference tomorrow.
“There are measures Environment Secretary Michael Gove and other decision-makers in Government can take which will cost them nothing and hugely benefit Britain’s wildlife.
“This is a people’s manifesto – it’s not devised by the Government and we don’t have to wait for them to do something. We can do it ourselves.
“I want this manifesto to be a first draft to ignite public interest so that people feel empowered to stand up and say, ‘I’ve got ideas as well’.”
Mr Packham was backed by Cumbrian hill farmer and author James Rebanks who called on people to help wildlife by buying environmentally-friendly food.
He said: “This will help create a food system that values and rewards nature-friendly farming and discourages damaging farming practices.
“Some people think farmers and environmentalists are locked in a fight about nature. I don’t.
“I think if it becomes a fight, we all lose. It is time to put egos aside and work together to change things.”