Environmental organisations, farmers, landowners and the public are being invited to have their say on how the laws protecting the natural environment are enforced as Natural England recently launched a consultation into its forthcoming enforcement policy.

Natural England has a wide-ranging role in enforcing natural environment legislation and is responsible for the regulatory stewardship and enforcement of offences relating to:

• Sites of Special Scientific Interest
• Illegal burning of heathland and grassland
• Agricultural work which affects uncultivated land or semi-natural areas
• Breaches of licences and notices issued under a range of legislation relating to wildlife management and protected species (including the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended))

The consultation launched today will run for three months and is designed to seek views on the levels of enforcement and the processes that should apply to them. Natural England will then publish its updated enforcement policy in 2009.

Helen Phillips, Chief Executive of Natural England, said: “Natural England has a key role in protecting and enhancing England’s natural environment and it is vital that our enforcement work is seen to be effective, fair and transparent. By launching this consultation today and committing to make our enforcement policy publicly available we are looking to ensure that we can best deliver on our wide-ranging enforcement responsibilities".

Notes to editors:

The consultation package can be found on our website at: www.naturalengland.org.uk/consultations or by contacting enforcementpolicy@naturalengland.org.uk. The consultation closes on the 18th October 2008. Our Enforcement Policy will then be available on our website www.naturalengland.org.uk in early 2009.

For more information please contact the Natural England press office 0845 603 9953, out of hours 07970 098005 or email: press@naturalengland.org.uk

Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings. www.naturalengland.org.uk