Countryside IN letter of support for the EU
As custodians of, and enthusiasts for, the countryside we know that the stability and certainty our membership of the EU provides is good for all of those who live, work or play in our green and pleasant land
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Your support makes all the difference.We represent a broad church of individuals – including farmers, landowners, environmental activists and members of conservation organisations – who care deeply about our countryside.
Over the last few years the UK has led the way in driving up environmental standards across our continent, providing real benefits right here at home. As custodians of, and enthusiasts for, the countryside we know that the stability and certainty our membership of the EU provides is good for all of those who live, work or play in our green and pleasant land.
Britain shares vital parts of its environment – such as its water and air – with our European neighbours, so it’s only with a strong voice in the EU that we can protect and enhance the environment, meaning that our precious wildlife and natural resources are preserved for generations to come.
By working in partnership with other European countries we have ensured our rivers, streams and coastline are in the healthiest state for 25 years with otters, salmon, sea trout and other wildlife returning to places for the first time since the industrial revolution.
EU action has also led to an increase in bird numbers, such as the threatened bittern where, due to the migratory nature of these species, meaningful progress can only be achieved through pan-European delivery.
And with some of the €700 million of EU funding that goes to support the environment and rural areas supporting the maintenance and restoration of hedgerows, ditches, stone walls and our vital uplands, the very fabric of our countryside is being supported by our membership.
So we are united and speak with one voice that the benefits of our membership of the EU are overwhelming. A vote to leave the EU on 23rd June would be a backwards step for the protection of the countryside we hold so dear.
Signatories:
Rt Hon Liz Truss MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Kerry McCarthy MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Lord Deben, Secretary of State for the Environment, 1993-1997
Rt Hon Nick Herbert MP, Chairman of Conservatives In
Laura Sandys, Chair of European Movement UK
Stanley Johnson, Co-Chair, Environmentalists for Europe
Baroness Young of Old Scone, Co-Chair, Environmentalists for Europe, Former Chief Executive, Environment Agency and RSPB, Former Chair, English Nature
Rory Stewart MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Environment and Rural Affairs
Lord Gardiner of Kimble, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Alex Cunningham, Shadow Environment Minister
Nick Smith, Shadow Minister for Food and Farming
Barry Gardiner MP, Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change
Richard Benyon MP, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Minister, 2010-2013
Rebecca Pow MP
Caroline Lucas MP
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon
Lord Taylor of Goss Moor
Lord Bragg of Wigton
Lord Chris Smith of Finsbury, Chair of the Environment Agency, 2008-14; President of the Ramblers Association, 2003-08
Lord Cameron of Dillington, former Chairman of the Countryside Agency
Jonathon Porritt CBE
Sir Andrew Motion, President, CPRE, 2012-
Lord Puttnam, President, CPRE, 1986-1992
Sir Nigel Thompson, Chairman, CPRE, 2003-2008
David Astor, Chairman, CPRE, 1983-93
Andrew Purkis, Director, CPRE, 1987-1991
Baroness Parminter, Chief Executive, CPRE, 1998-2004
John Glen, Chief Executive, Buccleuch Estates
Robert Benson, Chairman of the Moorland Association (In a personal capacity)
Benedict Southworth, Chief Executive of the Ramblers Association (in a personal capacity)
Jake Sumner, Co-Chair of Sera
Tom Franklin, Former Chief Executive, The Ramblers Association
Robin Hanbury-Tenison, Former Chief Executive, The Countryside Alliance
Dr Andy Brown, Former Chief Executive, English Nature and former Deputy Chairman, Environment Agency
Professor Adrian Phillips, Former Director General of the Countryside Commission
Professor Michael Dower CBE, Former Director General, Countryside Commission
Sir Graham Wynne, Former Chief Executive, RSPB
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