Thursday, August 26

From the Farm

English Nature to Merge

The Government Agency 'English Nature' which in recent years has been very effectively dealing with rural affairs is to be closed down. Sorry I mean merged as a part of Margaret Beckett's (the environment Secretary of State) ''ruthless streamlining''.

English Nature, which has criticized road schemes, port proposals, details of the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy and the likely effect of GM crops on wild life will soon be absorbed with the Countryside Agency and the Rural Development Service.

Mrs Becket recently said of the yet to be named new super-agency:

''Its remit will be the integrated management of our national heritage that the challenges and environmental threats of the 21st Century demand''.

One wonders if that includes improving our nations agricultural industry. Perhaps I should ask !

No comments: