Category Archives: Government
Badger cull: licences reissued by Natural England
In 2011, it was announced that a badger cull would be implemented to attempt to curb the spread of bovine tuberculosis. Licences were issued last summer, with culls initially scheduled to take place last autumn. Due to the combination of … Continue reading
Safeguarding the Jewels in the UK's Biodiversity Crown
The investment needed to conserve biodiversity in the UK’s Overseas Territories (UKOTs) is three to five times higher than that spent by the UK Government currently to protect the endemic species and threatened habitats in these unique ecosystems. That is … Continue reading
Contribute to the BES response to the Triennial Review of the Research Councils
The BES will respond through the Society of Biology to the UK Government’s Triennial Review of the seven Research Councils. The first phase is to consider the core functions of the Research Councils, to assess the need for these functions … Continue reading
Planning for 'No Net Loss' of Biodiversity
A briefing note published by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology this week (POSTnote 429) is critical of the quality of information, local authority decision-making, monitoring and research concerning the incorporation of biodiversity into planning decisions in England. Despite … Continue reading
BES Shadowing Scheme Open for Applications
Applications are now invited for the annual BES Parliamentary Shadowing Scheme. The scheme has run each year from 2007 and provides an unprecendented opportunity for members of the Society to spend two days shadowing senior policy-makers in the UK and … Continue reading
Forest estate in England to remain in public ownership
For the past two years, the future of England’s forest estate has been uncertain. Proposals to sell-off large areas of forest in early 2011 were quickly withdrawn, but not replaced by reassuring policies. The publication of the Government’s response to … Continue reading
Bees and neonicotinoid pesticides: acute risks identified by EU’s food safety authority
Bees are vital parts of our ecosystems in the UK, providing irreplaceable pollinator services for both crops and wildflowers. Worrying declines in the number of bee populations have been observed recently, and have been attributed to a number of causes … Continue reading
Ash Dieback: Control Plan and Interim Task Force report published
A new strategy to tackle Ash dieback has been published today alongside the Tree and Plant Health Task Force’s interim report. Environment Secretary Owen Paterson announced today. The Chalara Control Plan sets out the Government’s objectives for tackling the disease … Continue reading
Checking the Progress of Government on the Natural Environment
The Government could try harder on the natural environment. That was the conclusion of ‘Nature Check 2012′, an overview of the Government’s progress against the commitments made in the Coalition Agreement, launched by Wildlife and Countryside Link, and endorsed by … Continue reading
The Energy Challenge
The International Energy Agency released its 2012 World Energy Outlook yesterday; it presents analytical insights into today’s energy market, environmental issues and economic development with projections for 2035. It reveals the current transformation taking place within the oil and gas … Continue reading