Brexit ‘threat’ to our birds and bees

BRITAIN’S butterflies, bees and rare birds will be more at risk if the country votes to leave the EU, two of the UK’s leading environmental charities have warned.

The chief executives of WWF and RSPB also write in an article for The Daily Tele

graph that the recent surge in recycling in Britain is “largely” down to the laws made by Brussels.

David Nussbaum, the chief executive of WWF-UK, and Mike Clarke, the chief executive of the RSPB, say they “will not be telling people how to vote”.

But they say: “The evidence shows that the EU, and the UK’s membership of it, has on balance had a positive impact on the environment in the UK, across Europe and indeed globally, ranging from protecting forests and wildlife and preserving rare species to im- proving air and water quality, and cutting global emissions.

“EU standards have safeguarded streams and rivers that are home to much-loved British wildlife such as water voles, kingfishers, brown trout, otters and the bittern.

“They have helped protect and restore precious heaths and woodlands that are essential for butterflies and bees.” The pair claim the 400 per cent increase in UK recycling since 2000 is “largely thanks to EU legislation”. They write: “We all want the best for the UK’s natural heritage. But nature doesn’t observe national boundaries.

“And with environmental challenges growing, this would be the worst possible time to reduce our commitment to protecting nature.

“Leaving the EU would bring great uncertainties, putting much of what has been achieved at risk.”