21 Apr 2011

GREEN MEP SAYS LYDD AIRPORT IS ‘DEEPLY WORRYING THREAT’ TO RARE DUNGENESS WILDLIFE

Date: Tuesday 26 April 2011

Time: 11.30 a.m.

Place: RSPB Dungeness Visitor Centre



GREEN MEP SAYS LYDD AIRPORT IS ‘DEEPLY WORRYING THREAT’ TO RARE DUNGENESS WILDLIFE



On Tuesday Keith Taylor will be visiting Kent to sign the Natura 2000 pledge at the RSPB’s Dungeness Nature Reserve. The reserve is part of the European-wide Natura 2000 network.



Keith is supporting the campaign against the proposed expansion of nearby Lydd Airport, which will have an impact on the reserve, and has written to the Secretary of State to voice his objections.



Keith said: “This exceptional part of Kent is recognised as a Natura 2000 site, protected by EU environmental laws, because it’s one of the most sensitive wildlife habitats in the UK. Dungeness is home to exceptionally fragile communities of animals and over 600 species of plants – a third of all plants found in the UK. It’s a privilege to visit such a unique place which is facing a deeply worrying threat from the proposed expansion of Lydd airport, which I am continuing to oppose.”



Dr André Farrar, Saving Special Places Campaign Manager for the RSPB, will give Keith a tour of the reserve. Dr Farrar said: “Natura 2000 is Europe’s Premier League of wildlife sites. They are the best of the best and protecting them and the wildlife that depends on them will be essential if Governments are to meet their target of halting the loss of biodiversity by 2020.



“We believe that the expansion of Lydd Airport could seriously damage the Natura 2000 site of which our Dungeness reserve is a part and we have given evidence against the expansion plans at the Public Inquiry.”



ENDS



Notes to Editors



Natura 2000 is the name given to the Europe-wide network of sites designated as sites of European importance under the EC Birds and Habitats directives. They are made up of Special Protection Areas (SPAs), which are designated for their importance to birdlife, and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for their importance to other wildlife.



For more information on the work of Keith Taylor MEP, please contact Alice Taylor on 020 7164 2151 or keithpress@greenmeps.org.uk



www.keithtaylormep.org.uk

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