Talk of tension between town and country is absurd Now our tourist industry faces ruin. But it is unlikely that many will understand the vulnerability of such pockets of England's natural heritage. But it never had the powers to ensure the sites were managed properly. In terms of conservation, SSSIs were never more than a half-way house, failing to prevent neglect and damage from intensive agriculture.
Heathlands become woods unless they are regularly grazed, mown or burnt.
This loophole risked making a mockery of the attempt at conservation of British wildlife. That is why bodies such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds have campaigned for over a decade for tougher legislation. Now concern is growing that the countryside and rights of way bill, which was to deliver Labour's manifesto plans for protecting wildlife, is in danger. Conservationists are also worried that the government might axe the bill to slim the parliamentary agenda. Under this tough European directive, SSSIs get the kind of protection and duty to manage that they need.