May
9th 2006
Madeleine
Moon MP: Commons Bill essential in meeting Government Biodiversity Targets
Madeleine Moon MP has highlighted the importance
of our Commons in meeting Government Biodiversity targets.
Speaking during the debate on the Commons
Bill, Mrs Moon paid reference to Kenfig Common and the importance that simply one Common has to Biodiversity and hitting those
important targets.
Mrs Moon said;
“Village Greens and Commons are part
of our historical and natural heritage and are valued for reasons of agriculture, recreation, landscape and nature conservation.”
In Wales roughly 9% of land is common land,
45% of which are designated as Sites of Scientific Specialist Interest. Mrs Moon has however expressed concerns that Government
targets for halting biodiversity In Wales are less than their equivalent in England.
“The landscape of Wales is as important and valuable for biodiversity as England’s. I have asked for assurances that Ministers in Wales and England
will take part in close consultations and work side by side to protect our national heritage. Mrs Moon stated.
“Kenfig alone is an example of the importance
attached to Commons with regards to Biodiversity. As early as 1920, Kenfig sands were established as a wildlife resource of
outstanding significance for its birds and plants. To name but a few, Kenfig has 525 species of pant, 24 species of butterfly,
13 species of spider and 509 species of moth.
“A decline in British moths could have
serious consequences for the country’s biodiversity. Moths are a good indicator of the state of the environment. If
we lose moths then we will loose pollination because moths are a key and critical part of pollinating for crops as well as
garden flowers.
“That is why I have tabled an Early
Day Motion calling on the Government to act to stem the decline in the moth population. If we do not, there could be serious
consequences for the UK’s biodiversity.”
Mrs Moon’s EDM ‘The State of British
Moths’ has already received over 100 of her fellow MPs signatures.
“If we do not start taking care of them,
we’re going to be in a position where we will lose our common species which to people across Wales
and the rest of the UK are so important
to how they see their country.”
