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Another Cameron headline promise in the long grass.............
UK failing on green commitments, conservation groups say
Government earns praise for progress on fisheries but comes under criticism for failing to protect greenbelt and wildlife
David Cameron, making a speech on green policies in 2008. The PM's failing to deliver on his promise of 'greenest ever government', conservation groups say in their report. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA
The government is failing to make good progress on five in six of its promises to protect nature and wildlife, according to a report produced by every large conservation group in Britain.
While praising moves to tackling damaging fishing practices and the ash dieback epidemic, the 41 groups say the government is failing to protect the green belt, reverse declines in wildlife, and improve the welfare of farm animals.
"David Cameron promised the greenest government ever. Using the government's own promises as a yardstick, today's findings show he's failed to stick to his plan," said Dr Elaine King, director of Wildlife and Countryside Link, which represents 41 groups including the WWF, the Wildlife Trusts, the RSPCA, the RSPB, the Campaign to Protect Rural England and the Marine Conservation Society. Only one in three people polled thought the government took the natural environment or scientific advice into account when making decisions and just one in five thought the government was "the greenest ever".
