Plans to scrap nature-friendly farm subsidies put biodiversity target ‘at risk’

theguardian.com:

The government will not meet its commitments to stop biodiversity loss by 2030 if it scraps new payments to incentivise wildlife-friendly farming in England, the head of its nature watchdog has said.

Tony Juniper, the chair of Natural England, told the environment secretary, Ranil Jayawardena, in a letter this week that if the government did not keep its commitment to move from area-based farm payments to “public money for public goods” – rewarding farmers for work to replenish soil, prevent floods and restore pollinators – it will not meet its legally binding target to halt biodiversity decline by 2030.

Asked by members of the public about the government’s “attack on nature” at an event celebrating 70 years of national nature reserves, Juniper said he believed the government could meet “not only its ambitions on economic growth but nature recovery”, but it must not view the environment as an impediment to growth.

The Truss administration signalled its desire to rip up environmental changes instigated under the Conservative governments of Theresa May and Boris Johnson. Its controversial growth plan signalled a review of financial support for farms in England, and aspirations to abolish European environmental protections and to create investment zones with minimal planning rules.

Environmental charities have launched a major campaign against this “attack on nature”.

At the event at Holkham national nature reserve, Juniper said the government had this week reiterated its commitment to halting biodiversity loss by 2030.

“If we do not keep the commitment to shift from area-based farm subsidies we probably can’t meet those 2030 targets, and I’ve told the environment secretary that,” Juniper said. “We’re looking to stick to these