Thread by @campaignerkaye

So, many MPs and @DefraGovUK have been responding to the claims made about this #AttackOnNature that's been happening since last week.
Have you heard from your MP yet?

Here's what they've said to reassure people so far..
@Natures_Voice are "liars"

1/

This is all simply "a communications issue"

Nature orgs have 'misunderstood' intentions, and haven't read the details properly

Established, respected green charities are 'making all this up' to create 'hysteria' to force an 'increase in membership' off people's fears

2/

Happily, I can rebut.

It is in no-one's interest to make this shit up. We ready have ENOUGH to do.
Calling the RSPB and other NGOs 'liars' is disgusting as well as a disgraceful reponse from an elected representative to his constituents

(you'll see a theme here)
3/

@DefraGovUK sweetly suggests this is just about 'poor comms' is - an admission that their Twitter account was hacked by @Number10press last week?
Or are they now throwing their poor comms team under the bus too?

PS we've ALL read the details. Well, what there is. Which is

4/

precisely why we're all terrified.
It's hard to see how this is "not an #AttackOnNature" when the REUL Bill only gives until December 2023 for all EU-retained laws to be rewritten or bought into UK law before they are scrapped.

And in planning changes & charter city plans,

5/

The #AttackOnNature' is there in black and white.

Plus, The Growth Plan promises that the burden of environmental assessments for infrastructure development will be reduced, with the habitats and species regulations reformed.

But the ongoing political narrative also

6/

suggests that the #HabsRegs & other EU env. legislations are at risk, esp as the same Bill says new rules 'should not pose an additional burden on business"

Existing protections have already been referred to as "burdens" by @GOVUK.
MPs must guarantee these will

7/

be retained and strengthened

Has yours been in touch to do so?

Likewise labelling the planning system as "bureaucratic" belies the important role it plays in creating liveable systems for ALL. But new Investment Zones will be freed from any democratic planning process.

8/

Can your MP specify which parts of the planning process will not apply in these zones in your neighbourhood, and guarantee environmental protections & regulations will?

There was some good news (I think) for farmers who work with nature - ELM is "not being scrapped" although

9/

again, no clarity. And So. Many. Questions! Will the reach be sufficiently curtailed? Will the ELM budget be protected? Will the principles shift, and other payments offered alongside? Will Gov still introduce schemes for integrated pesticide management (IPM) as promised?

10/

and the supprt to restore hedgerows, as promised? This all helps improve resilience to pests and disease, support productivity, & reduce pesticide use.

Will the Government be rolling out Local Nature Recovery Schemes as planned to help farmers do more for nature, climate

11/

and water quality too?
There are no obvious answers to any of these questions in any MP responses I've seen not in any @DefraGovUK comms.

And where is the Secretary of State @ranil please?? Cancelling planned meetings with nature NGOs smacks of cowardice (or arrogance?)

12/

Many of the regulations in question are essential to ensure @GOVUK meets is it's own LEGALLY BINDING Environment Act targets, which most MPs are invoking as the reason why this is all 'hysteria' - that Halloween deadline (the irony) looms @DefraGovUK, how you getting on?

13/

(Don't even get me started on fracking)

All of which means #DefendNature - folks MUST keep asking these questions, calling for proper reassurance & DETAILS! Please call, visit, email MPs (in England councillors too).

Don't let them wriggle out of this
wtru.st/DefendNature

Almost forgot to address the "It's all about membership" claims
Appalling that @Bren4Bassetlaw says NGOs like @RSPBEngland only "justify their membership fees" & other suggestions this is a membership drive. Some people will join, or rejoin charities off the back of this, and

bloody well done to them. God knows nature needs us all right now. But make no mistake @DefraGovU @luhc
We do this because we must.
We do this because you make us.
We do this because there is no other way to stop the #AttackOnNature and we'd do it with 80 members, or 8 million

And after that, I feel like I ought to add some EXCELLENT news, beavers are back and they're now a European protected species in England.

Woohoo!!!
Except, see above.
But for now, let's all give some love to the brilliant beaver!!
fb.watch/fTM5cCZvQ5/

In case it's unbecoming, I should apologise for my language & palpable frustration here, the real heroes are in Gov depts attempting to manage this too. But I'm tired. I'm anxious and scared. I feel such responsibility to help. In 15 years I've never seen anything like this 😭