HUGE TURN-OUT IN NEWARK TO PROTECT NATURE LAWS, BUT NO TURN-UP FROM MP ROBERT JENRICK
Around 300 residents rallied together, calling upon Newark MP, Robert Jenrick, to demand our Government withdraw the retained EU law bill - also known as the ‘wrecking bill’ - which could see the ripping up and removal of over 1,000 laws protecting nature and wildlife.
Organised by the local community group, Protect Newark’s Green Spaces (PNGS), a rally and march took place from Newark Library Garden via Lilley & Stone on London Road, along Bowbridge road to the YMCA Activity Village where Balderton campaigners joined via Balderton Lake. Whistles, drums, banners, singing, cheering, dogs and families took to the streets providing a family-friendly and positive atmosphere.
Supported by other wildlife and community groups, many joined from The Woodland Trust, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, Saving Wildlife and Nature (SWAN), Extinction Rebellion Newark and Sherwood and LASSIPCO.
The rally finale took place at the YMCA Newark & Sherwood, Lord Hawke Way - home to the office of Newark MP, Robert Jenrick, where hundreds urged him to call for the Bill to be withdrawn.
Adam Cormack, Head of Campaigning at The Woodland Trust raised awareness of iconic, local sites at risk. “This isn’t some vague abstract EU law bill, this is actually about places like Sherwood Forest and 250 other crucial conservation areas around the country.”
“Current EU law gives birds the same level of protection across Europe. Birds don’t respect borders and they move between countries. You can go up the road and hear a Cuckoo at Langford Lowfields. That cuckoo has travelled here from Western Africa, probably across ten European countries, which all have the same level of protection until they get here. It is up to us to ensure that the level of protection for our bird species remains.”
Paul Wilkinson, CEO of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust addressed the crowd:
"We care so very deeply about our natural world and the wildlife we share our planet with. That is why we are here. To stand shoulder to shoulder to raise our voices and to be heard and let the people in power hear our concerns and address them."
“We're told that all of this law that is now wrapped up in this bill, has been done to us by Europe and therefore it is bad and has to be thrown away. But, the UK has been a leader at the top table in developing these environmental laws and regulations in Europe. Our UK ministers and civil servants have drafted much of this legislation."
Residents were disappointed with the MP’s lack of appearance, which the crowd acknowledged and booed. Two large post bags were handed into the YMCA reception to present to Robert Jenrick, including letters signed by many constituents, posters and children’s artwork.
“Our Newark MP was invited to join us today to hear our concerns, but sadly he chose to ignore us,” says Emma Oldham from Protect Newark’s Green Spaces. “We hope he acknowledges this public outcry and listens to the wildlife NGOs who are working tirelessly to protect Nottinghamshire’s iconic wildlife and places. If he doesn’t demand that parliament scrap this bill, he will be culpable for helping to remove Britain’s wildlife lifeline.”
NOTES TO EDITOR:
Figures released by environmental organisations reveal that the economic costs of removing or weakening laws in just four of the areas covered by the REUL Bill could reach £82.94bn over thirty years. These high figures come from the damage that could be caused in areas including the health impacts of poorer air and water quality and loss of recycling business opportunities due to weaker chemical regulations.
Weakening of Habitats and Species Regulations could open up important nature sites, including Ashdown Forest and Dogger Bank, to unsustainable development projects – putting species including bats, otters and puffins at risk.
Less healthy seas as a result of weakening Marine Strategy Regulations, which could lead to a decline in habitats including seagrass meadows and saltmarshes (vital carbon stores for reaching net zero) and impact the recovery of species including puffins.
Weakening the Plant Protection Products Regulations would lead to less stringent tests for pesticides before they are authorised for use in the UK, opening the door to more dangerous products in our fields, and ultimately our food and bringing back chemicals that have already been banned. Pesticide pollution can devastate habitats like chalk streams, soil health, and pollinator populations.
Invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed and Quagga Mussels already cost the UK economy £1.7bn a year. Weakening current regulations on invasive species could cost a further £1bn just from the impacts of pests and diseases threatening UK trees, with millions of trees being lost. Other UK species particularly vulnerable to invasives include water voles and common earthworms.
