The Vascular Plant Red Data List for Britain Published

Botanists have recently published the most comprehensive assessment of the UK's flora to date. One in five native plants in Britain is threatened by extinction. Species that inhabit the margins of farmer's fields and grasslands are particularly at risk. New species on the Red List, corn buttercup and shepherd's needle have suffered very rapid decline in recent years. Western juniper had simply been overlooked in previous assessments although only eleven plants survive.

It is felt that European Economic Community agricultural policies of the 1970s led to a loss of habitat for wild species. Subsidies provided to farmers to increase production were used to drain wet lands and institute intensive farming methods that left little room for wildlife. A new policy is being negotiated that will give equal subsidies regardless of productivity. Although it is not yet clear what effect the new policy will have, British environment secretary Margaret Beckett, has made it clear that she wants to assist farmers who do the most to help the environment.

Links:

• British plants fighting for space from the BBC News



• The return of the countryside from the BBC News

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 4:46 PM on May 20, 2005

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