PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
LAUNCH OF THE WILDLIFE CHARTER (4 December 1997)

That this House is concerned at the continuing loss of the country's wildlife and urges the Government to support the Wildlife Charter launched by a broad coalition of wildlife groups; believes that implementation of this charter will help to secure the future of the United Kingdom's wildlife; recognises the role of those who depend upon the natural invironment for their livelihoods; welcomes the recognition in the Government's manifesto that the countryside is a great national asset, 'a part of our heritage which deserves careful stewardship', and further welcomes the manifesto commitment to providing 'greater protection for wildlife'; and therefore urges the Government to introduce broad-based wildlife legislation which puts into law the principles called for by the broad alliance of organisations behind the Wildlife Charter, namely the British Association for Nature Conservationists, British Ecological Society, Butterfly Conservation, Earthkind, Environmental Investigation Agency, Friends of the Earth (England, Wales and Northern Ireland), Friends of the Earth (Scotland), Greenpeace, Herpetological Conservation Trust, International Wildlife Coalition, Marine Conservation Society, Plantlife, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Scottish Wildlife Trust, The Wildlife Trusts, Tuskforce, Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Woodland Trust, WWF-UK - The World Wide Fund for Nature, and the Young People's Trust for the Environment and Nature Conservation.

Sponsored by:
David Lepper (Labour)