Conservation report
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Natural England and other government agencies should expect to find themselves the targets of Wild Justice, according to one of its founders, campaigner and writer Mark Avery.
With natural history presenter Chris Packham and anti-raptor-persecution campaigner Ruth Tingay, Avery has set up Wild Justice to take legal cases against public bodies that they believe are failing to protect wildlife. “It’s possible that Natural England might find itself more often in the firing line, but we aren’t picking on them,” Avery says. “If we lose every case, then we will be demonstrating what a great job they are doing.”
In the past year, Natural England has regularly found its decisions challenged in the courts. Avery took out a Judicial Review over brood management of hen harriers, while ecologist Tom Langton fought the agency over its licensing of badger culling.
Packham says Natural England exists to protect wildlife for the public. “If it is failing through negligence or because it is under-resourced, then we have a right to question its decision-making,” he says.
Though under fire, there is hope on the horizon for Natural England, according to Avery – the appointment of Tony Juniper as its new chair. “Tony has got a difficult job, but he is one of the best people they could have chosen for the role,” Avery says. “I hope he improves the morale of the staff and focuses them on the job of nature conservation.” James Fair
FIND OUT MORE Wild Justice: wildjustice.org.uk