Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Wildlife and Countryside Package in Queen's Speech
Underlines Government's Commitment to the Environment

1101 17 November 1999

Measures guaranteeing freedom to enjoy the countryside set alongside strong protection for wildlife and natural habitats will be contained in the Countryside Amenity and Conservation Bill outlined in the Queen's Speech today.

The Bill is expected to be published early next year and full details of provisions will not be available until then. The Government's aim is to ensure greater freedom to walk in the open countryside and improvements in the rights of way system. Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and wildlife species will get greater protection through increased enforcement powers.

When approved by Parliament the Bill would:

Environment Minister Michael Meacher said today:

"The legislation announced today indicates the Government's firm commitment to the wider environmental agenda, and specifically to protecting our finest habitats and wildlife species. Full details will be set out when the Bill is published. The measures will help ensure the preservation of the diversity and richness of our natural environment for future generations.

"Enjoyment of our glorious natural heritage should not be limited to a privileged few. We want to extend rights of access and improve rights of way, so more people will be able to explore the countryside. But rights and responsibilities go hand-in-hand, and we expect people to respect the countryside and the people whose livelihoods depend on it."

Notes to Editors

Access to the Open Countryside

1. The Government's manifesto included a commitment to give "greater freedom for people to explore our open countryside." In February 1998, the Government issued a consultation paper, Access to the Open Countryside in England & Wales, seeking views on possible approaches - both statutory and voluntary - for securing greater access to open countryside. The Government also commissioned independent research into the economic, environmental and social effects of different approaches to achieving more and better access.

2. Over 2,000 responses were received to the consultation paper, of which around two thirds were in favour of a new statutory right of access. In the light of the consultation process and research results, Michael Meacher announced on 8 March 1999, the Government's intention to introduce a new statutory right of access on foot to mountain, moor, heath and down, and to registered common land. These categories of land account for some four million acres or about 10% of England & Wales.

3. The Government has also received and is considering recommendations by the Countryside Agency and Forestry Commission on extending access to other types of open countryside - woods, coastal land, and watersides. The papers referred to above can be seen on the DETR web site at: href="/wildlife-countryside/cl/index.htm.

Rights of Way

4. On 9 March 1999 the Minister stated that rights of way would be included in new legislation to provide a statutory right of access to open countryside for people on foot. On 15 July 1999 DETR launched its consultation document "Improving Rights of Way in England and Wales" (press notice 698). The consultation period closed on 15 October 1999. The responses received are currently being assessed.

5. A public right of way in England and Wales is a way over which the public have a right to pass and repass. It may or may not be on private land. The public rights of way network in England and Wales consists of 130,000 miles (200,000 km) of footpaths, bridleways, byeways open to all traffic, and roads used as public path.

SSSIs

6. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 introduced measures for protection of SSSIs. In its Manifesto, the Government indicated its intention to examine the protection of SSSIs and in September 1998, it issued a consultation document "Sites of Special Interest (SSSI) - Better Protection and Management"setting out various options. Over 560 responses were received from a wide range of organisations and individuals. The Government's response to this was set out in "A Framework for Action", published in August 1999 (press notice 768).

7. On 30 September 1999, there were 4,068 SSSIs covering 1,037,094 hectares. All sites designated to meet international obligations (namely, Special Protection Areas, Specials Areas of Conservation and Ramsar sites) are first notified as SSSIs. More than two-thirds of SSSIs are in private ownership, with nearly 25,100 individual owners and occupiers. They are identified because of the scientific importance of their flora, fauna, geological or physiological features.

Wildlife Law Enforcement

8. The Partnership for Acton Against Wildlife Crime's (PAW) recommendations for changes to strengthen wildlife were published for consultation in March 1997. Ministers announced their support for the majority of the recommendations in July (Press notice 395) and October (PN 395) 1997, and since then have been looking for a suitable opportunity to take forward the proposals, now expected to be included in the Bill.

9. PAW is a multi-agency body bringing together representatives of the Police and HM Customs and Excise, as well as other Government and voluntary bodies with an active interest in combating wildlife crime. Further details of PAW and its activities can be found at: href="/wildlife-countryside/.

10. There are international Conventions, European Regulations and Directives, and many Acts of Parliament designed to protect wildlife. The proposals for the Bill will affect the enforcement provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c) Regulations 1994, the main legislation aimed at species conservation.

Published 17 November 1998
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