11 October 2006
“Assembly Convergence Plans could be self-defeating unless they recognise the importance of the environment", says Coed Cadw
Assembly could be missing a valuable opportunity to deliver the outcomes in its own Environment Strategy also while bringing in additional external funding into the Welsh economy.
Coed Cadw (the Woodland Trust), the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity, has voiced concern that the Assembly’s vital European fund Convergence programmes, that take the place of the present Objective 1, could ultimately be self-defeating unless they ensure that economic advances do not come at the price of degrading one of Wales’ greatest long-term assets, its superb national environment.
The warning comes in the charity’s response (1) to the Assembly’s consultation on the Convergence Programmes, which ended on Friday.
The Assembly’s own consultation document makes clear that the existing Objective 1 programme for West Wales and the Valleys is succeeding, with gross domestic product per head moving towards the European average. Unlike the present Objective 1 programme, however, the Convergence Programmes make no specific provision for funding projects which strengthen the economy by bringing important European-designed wildlife sites (2) into favourable condition. Among the sites concerned are Welsh icons such as central Eryri/Snowdonia, Skokholm and Skomer and the ancient oak woodlands of Meirionnydd.
In its consultation response, Coed Cadw has been one of a number of environmental organisations that have suggested that by not including this option the Assembly would be missing a valuable opportunity to deliver the outcomes in its own Environment Strategy while also bringing additional external funding into the Welsh economy. Moreover, the omission seems to be at odds with a recent EU policy document (3) which states that: “adequate funding should be provided to Natura 2000 implementation through Community (CAP, Rural Development, Structural funds and LIFE+) and Member state co-financing.”
Coed Cadw has, however, given a cautious welcome to other aspects of the plans, in particular the aim of making environmental sustainability a “cross-cutting theme” throughout the plans. The aim is to help the Welsh economy develop in ways which damage the natural environment less; by using energy more efficiently, producing less waste and reducing pollution. Nevertheless, the charity has posed the question as to how the Assembly will ensure that this “cross-cutting theme” is delivered in practice. Does WEFO (4) or WAG (5) really have such a system in place?
Thirdly Coed Cadw has questioned whether the emphasis in the document on improving transport links will not have the effect of undermined the document’s fine words on reducing the impact of economic growth on the environment. As the Coed Cadw response says: “While transport solutions may create ‘larger, more competitive markets’ (a quote from the Assembly’s consultation document), the implication is that goods will be traded over a wider area, increasing distances travelled, fuel use and ‘food miles’, and thus undermining the aim of decoupling economic growth from increasing demands on the environment.”
(ends)
For media enquiries contact:
Rory Francis (Publicity and Public Affairs Officer for Wales) on 07760 171174
Afallon, Tanygrisiau, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd LL41 3RH
Email roryfrancis@woodland-trust.org.uk
or The Woodland Trust Press Office on 01476 581121, e-mail media@woodland-trust.org.uk
Notes to editors
1. A full copy of the response can be downloaded at here
2. This means either Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) which are designated to help maintain the rich variety of European wildlife by protecting vulnerable habitats and the plants and animals they support, and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) which have been set up to conserve rare and vulnerable birds and the sites used by some migratory species. Together, these are known as Natura 2000 sites.
3. ‘Halting the Loss of Biodiversity by 2010 and Beyond’ COM(2006) 216 final
4. The Welsh European Funding Office
5. The Welsh Assembly Government
Coed Cadw (The Woodland Trust)
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 250,000 members and supporters. The Trust has four key aims: i) No further loss of ancient woodland; ii) Restoring and improving the biodiversity of woods; iii) Increasing new native woodland; iv) Increasing people’s awareness and enjoyment of woodland.
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). These include over 100 sites in Wales, with a total area of 1,580 hectares (3,900 acres). It offers free public access to nearly all of its sites. Further news can be accessed via www.coed-cadw.org.uk The Trust adopted a new Welsh language name in 2000: “Coed Cadw”. This is an old Welsh term, used in medieval laws to describe protected or preserved woodland.
