The Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, and Shaw Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has attacked proposals to scrap the European Union Birds and Habitat Directives.

These Nature Directives provide legal protection for the many unique creatures that inhabit Europe and the many places of great beauty in which they live.  The European Commission is currently running a public consultation to see if there is support to abolish them as part of a drive to “reduce environmental regulation”.

Cllr Sykes said: “These laws protect unique creatures such as the brown bear of the Caucasus, the flamingo and imperial eagle of the Donana Wetlands of Spain, and the very rare Large Mason Bee, which inhabits the sea cliffs of North Wales. This matters because these animals form part of the all-important ecosystem that we have a duty to maintain for current and future generations as stewards of this planet.”

Cllr Sykes added: “But our objections are not just about saving animals and habitats in far off places. The abolition of the Nature Directives will mean places closer to home are under threat. Places such as the South Pennine Moors, which, as part of the Peak District National Park, also borders our Borough, and the Manchester Mosses.”

“The Oldham Liberal Democrats want to see Nature Laws strengthened in the UK and in Europe – not see them eroded. That is why we have registered our objections to this proposal in the strongest possible terms”.