Wildlife groups take legal action over pollution

THE Government faces legal action from environmental groups over its alleged failure to protect natural ‘national treasures’ from pollution.

WWF-UK, Angling Trust and Fish Legal have been granted permission to challenge the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Environment Agency over concerns they are not meeting the requirements to safeguard natural habitats.

Sites such as Poole Harbour and the Avon, Wye and Eden rivers are allegedly so heavily polluted their fish and other wildlife are dying.

David Nussbaum, chief executive of WWF-UK, claims the health of Britain’s rivers and lakes was “one of the most critical concerns” for his charity.

He said: “Not only are they vital for important species – such as Atlantic salmon, bullhead fish, bittern and kingfisher – but they are also important for recreational activities such as fishing, walking and bird-watching, which provide vital income for communities. We are calling on the Government to tackle the issue.”

It is feared the Government will not meet an obligation under European law to ensure threatened natural habitats are cleaned up by December.

Some 50 of 57 rivers and wetland areas the Government agreed in 2009 to attend to remain affected by agricultural pollution from pesticides and other farmland chemicals, says WWF.

With the charities granted permission for a judicial review, the case is expected to proceed to court this year.

Mark Lloyd, for the Angling Trust and Fish Legal, said: “Poor land management is causing soils carrying nutrients and pesticides to wash into our precious rivers. We must ensure measures are in place to stop this pollution.”

A Defra spokesman said: “Rivers in England are the healthiest they have been for 20 years and we are committed to working closely with groups to further improve water quality.”