Defra calls for input to environment white paper

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is calling for public contribution to its natural environment white paper, to be published next spring.

Announcing the initiative at Kew Gardens in London, environment secretary Caroline Spelman, said the economy and the natural environment are interdependent, not competing choices.

“We have the opportunity to be the generation that puts a stop to the piecemeal degradation of our natural environment,” said Spelman. “We want to see a real positive change in the future of our natural environment – one which supports a stronger economy and better quality life. This discussion document will allow everyone to shape the white paper in a Big Society approach to policy-making, so that together we can aim to halt this decline and recognise that nature is our ultimate producer and supplier.”

Details of how to contribute can be found at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/natural/

The deadline for responses is 30 October 2010. This will be the first white paper on the natural environment for 20 years, but will cover England only.