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A round up of the top stories as chosen by the CJS Team.

Monday 20 February 

Parts of East Anglia and now the South East are officially in drought status with parts of Midlands continuing to experience drought conditions.Envrionment Agency

Visit the Environment Agency website to see which areas are affected, what's being done and how you can help.

Save water now to limit the effects of drought says Spelman - defra

Everyone must find a way to save water to help limit the effects of drought, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said today following a major summit. This came on the same day it was announced that the South East is now officially in drought.

The summit, which was called by the Environment Secretary after another year of much lower than average rainfall, brought together key players in the water industry to discuss what is already being done to tackle drought and to decide upon actions that need to be taken to mitigate against its impact in the future.

As parts of the UK have been affected by droughts for many months and prolonged periods of heavy rainfall in the near future are unlikely according to recent Met Office forecasts, the Environment Secretary urged water companies, businesses, and people to find ways of reducing water waste and water usage.

Speaking after the water summit today held at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said: 

“Ensuring we have enough water this summer is vitally important, and that is why I called the summit today.  

“Drought is already an issue this year with the South East, Anglia and other parts of the UK now officially in drought, and more areas are likely to be affected as we continue to experience a prolonged period of very low rainfall. 

“It is not just the responsibility of Government, water companies and businesses to act against drought. We are asking for the help of everyone by urging them to use less water and to start now.” 

Drought in England and Wales – Helpful map on The Guardian website. 

South East latest part of England officially in drought - BBC coverage. 

Drought summit: Why not pipe the water from north to south? Writes Richard Black on the BBC

CLA calls for fair allocation of water for farmers in drought

The CLA today (20 February) called on the Government to ensure agriculture is given priority for scarce water resources to prevent food shortage.

Taking part in Defra's drought summit to discuss areas hit by continued low winter rainfall, the Association demanded a fairer allocation of water for farmers across all drought-affected areas in England.

CLA President Harry Cotterell said: "Agriculture is under incredible pressure as a result of the lack of rain through the winter. Other sectors have statutory powers and priority over agriculture, but to ensure food and environmental security it is vital we are given our fair share of water.

"The Government needs to think about extending permitted development rights to build on-farm reservoirs. This could make a real difference during any drought, particularly using flexible abstraction licenses to allow efficient recharge of reservoirs.

Govt holds emergency water summit as UK faces drought - Friends of the Earth

The Government must get tough on water companies and do more to save water or drought will keep threatening British crops, Friends of the Earth warns today (Monday 20 February 2012), as Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman prepares to hold an emergency summit between companies, wildlife groups and river users.

The green campaigning charity says that the drought crisis has been a long-time coming, as successive Governments have consistently allowed the over-abstraction of water from several English rivers and ignored the problem of leaky old water pipes. Meanwhile, climate change increases the risk of weather extremes like drought happening in future in Britain.

Last week the Centre for Hydrology and Ecology said that average rainfall in the UK so far this winter has been the lowest since 1972, with the Midlands and Anglian regions having had their second driest years in almost a century. The Environment Agency warned that half of all British households could face hosepipe bans unless a long bout of exceptionally heavy rain fell by April.

Let's finish with some good news today:

Edinburgh parks on top with Gold COSLA Award win - City of Edinburgh Council

The quality of Edinburgh’s parks and greenspaces has been recognised with a gold award at last night’s COSLA Excellence Awards (16 February).

The ceremony in St Andrews saw the City of Edinburgh Council's Parks and Greenspace service chosen from a shortlist of three other local authorities.

The gold COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) Award commends the excellent practice adopted by the Council's parks and greenspace service. In recent years a new approach to joint working has seen Friends groups, local residents and the Council working closely together to deliver well-managed and well-maintained parks and greenspaces.

The service already has a strong track-record with improvement recognised through a variety of awards and accolades including the 2010 Beautiful Scotland "City" Award and Silver Gilt Medal at the 2011 Britain in Bloom UK Finals, a record twenty Green Flag Awards in 2011 and recognition by APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence), who judged Edinburgh the UK's Best Parks, Grounds & Horticultural Service Team in 2011.

Councillor Jenny Dawe, Council Leader, said: "Our parks and greenspaces are consistently improving year on year and to achieve this award in these difficult financial times is testament to the efforts of everyone involved.

Tuesday 21 February

Water water everywhere – except when there isn’t!! - Dr Tony Whitbread writing on Sussex Wildlife Trust's blog, Wild Matters.

Whilst I am writing this there is a meeting going on in London between government, the water industry and the Environment Agency to discuss a likely drought this year.

It may seem strange, in wet, soggy Britain to talk about a drought, especially in winter, because it’s always raining here isn’t it? Well, when you think about it, how much rain have we actually had? A bit of drizzle last week, one downpour a few weeks ago, but apart from that – almost nothing.

Reservoirs, which supply about 20% of our water, are less than half full. 80% of our water comes from underground aquifers, mostly under the South Downs, and these pretty low on water too – probably as low as they have ever been. They are supposed to be full in winter and only get low later in summer. Streams that should be coming out of the South Downs are either low or non-existent, and areas that should now be wet are dry.

Oxfam 'Unwraps' 20,000 Trees for South Uist

Oxfam is investing nearly £10,000 to help transform South Uist's wind-swept landscape. The cash has been used to buy more than 20,000 trees in a bid to boost growing conditions on the island and to protect it from the effects of climate change.

The trees are funded by Oxfam Unwrapped - a scheme in which people buy presents like a tree, a goat or training for a teacher. The money raised is used in Oxfam projects worldwide.

The vast bulk of the money is invested overseas, but this year South Uist was awarded £9,800 from the Oxfam Unwrapped pot. The Lochboisdale Amenity Trust has used the money to buy 21,000 saplings.

There is a mixture of broad-leafed trees like Sycamore, Birch, Rowan and Aspen, as well as conifers - including Scots Pine, Austrian Pine and Sitka Spruce. Smaller bushes like Sea
Buckthorn and Creeping Willow will be used to strengthen coastal areas.

Seumas MacDonald, from the Lochboisdale Amenity Trust, said: "In the past, there used to be a lot of trees on the island, but they were felled for firewood and other uses.

"We hope that the trees will be useful in helping dry out wet land, in strengthening the beaches and in giving protection to crofting land and other places, so that crops, plants and vegetables can grow better there."

Work to plant the trees will start on Friday 17 February and will continue over that, and the following six, weekends. The Trust hopes local people will come out to help. 

Freeing up farming to reach its full potential - defra

The farming industry is the first to benefit from the Government’s pledge to slash red tape which hinders business efficiency, Farming Minister Jim Paice announced today.

A raft of measures to free farmers from the shackles of unnecessary burdens, help their businesses become more competitive and so provide a boost to the economy whilst still ensuring environmental protection have been published.

Launching the Government’s full response to Farming Regulation Task Force, Mr Paice committed to take action on 86 per cent of the independent panel’s original recommendations made last May.

Reactions:

Implementation key for Defra red tape drive - NFU

Implementation will be key to the creditable aims set out in Defra’s Red Tape Task Force response, the NFU has said.  

Government plans to cut the amount of red tape in the farming industry are good news - but farmers want to see swifter action, said the NFU today(21/2).

The government’s full response to the Farming Regulation Task Force sets course for a better regulated and trusted industry, recognising good practice and promoting a better understanding of business across Defra and agencies.

Defra’s response sets out plans to reduce burdensome regulation and promotes a change of culture within government. It proposes to give greater recognition for high performing farm businesses (such as those in farm assurance) by targeting inspections to more risky businesses and reducing paperwork for all by building a better understanding of agriculture in policy making.

Speaking ahead of the NFU’s annual conference in Birmingham, NFU deputy president Meurig Raymond said: “This response is good news for the farming industry, but we also recognise that the industry must play a full part in this process. The NFU made a significant input to Richard Macdonald’s Task Force, and we are pleased that so many of our principles can be found in Defra’s response."

Campaigners welcome progress on farming regulations but warn on planning proposals - CPRE

The Government has today published its response to over 200 recommendations made by the Farming Regulation Task Force.
Rural campaigners have welcomed proposals that should mean progress in a number of areas but remain concerned about how changes to planning policy could affect the countryside.
Commenting on the Government’s response, Ian Woodhurst, CPRE’s Senior Farming Campaigner says: “CPRE is pleased that both the Government and the Task Force clearly recognise the important role well-implemented environmental regulation plays in protecting the countryside's wildlife and much-loved landscapes. We are particularly pleased that the Hedgerows Regulations have avoided being weakened and we warmly welcome the Government’s plan to hold a national fly-tipping summit. A number of local CPRE groups are working with farmers to find ways of tackling the growing problem of fly-tipping."

Trusts to tackle harmful weeds - CCW

On Friday 17 February Rivers Trusts in North East Wales held a conference on the Management of Invasive Weeds in the River Dee catchment at Beaufort Park, New Brighton, near Mold.

Photo Courtesy of: Rivers Trusts of North East Wales

The Trusts are co-operating on a major programme to eradicate invasive weeds from three rivers catchments, the Dee, the Clwyd and the Conwy.

The project concentrates on three weeds in particular, Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Giant Hogweed.

Left untreated, these species can spread at an alarming rate, smothering native wildlife. The Balsam and Knotweed for example, shade out the native wild flowers and insects that depend on them, which leaves the ground bare in winter leading to erosion of these areas.

"One of the main aims of the River Trusts is to maintain and enhance native species of plants and animals in their catchment areas," says Dr Neil Smith from the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW).

 Rare anemone returns to Walney - Cumbria Wildlife Trust

A survey of a Cumbrian beach has uncovered a rare sea anemone only once previously recorded in the county.

A Cumbria Wildlife Trust shore survey of the Walney Channel, off Barrow-in-Furness, spotted the Sagartiogeton undatus, commonly named the small snakelocks, on a rock in the shallow flowing water.

It is the first sighting of the anemone since 1991, in the same area, which is the only one on record. Anemones like rocks to cling to, making it rare in the north-west due to the sandy shores. Walney provides a little pocket of diversity between the rocky shores of north Wales and southern Scotland, making it perfect for observing a range of species.

Snakelocks are found to the south of Cumbria and as far south as the Mediterranean Sea. They have long, flowing tentacles and are usually a bright green colour, sometimes with purple or scarlet tips to the tentacles. Snakelocks tend to be found in the sunny pools. They have stinging tentacles in which they trap their prey.

The finding is great news for Cumbria Wildlife Trust and Marine Conservation Engagement Officer Nikki Taylor said: “This is an interesting find and shows the range of biodiversity that can turn up on our surveys. It again proves the wide variety of life we have in the Irish Sea.” 

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