IF PETER CRANE, the director of the Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG) at Kew, says that 鈥渨e lack a coherent international framework to safeguard biodiversity,鈥� it is time to take notice (New Scientist, 24 May, p 25). So, I wrote to the prime minister, Tony Blair, saying that although British government ministers had shown a caring attitude to the environment, Crane鈥檚 concern merited a reply from him.
The prime minister replied that Crane鈥檚 points about the scale and significance of the current rate of biodiversity loss were well taken. The extent and impact of this loss was behind the commitment that the UK entered into at last year鈥檚 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg 鈥� to significantly reduce the rate of loss of biodiversity by 2010. It is an enormous challenge that will require coordinated and sustained international effort. He went on: 鈥淚 am pleased that the UK has taken the lead on bringing together the international biodiversity and development community at an international conference to discuss these issues, held in London from 21 to 23 May. This meeting was, of course, only a starting point but real progress was made in developing practical recommendations to meet the 2010 challenge.鈥�
Blair continued: 鈥淥n the issue of biodiversity, also mentioned by Peter Crane in his article, I am immensely proud of what the Darwin Initiative [launched at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992] has achieved for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in developing countries. I was delighted to be able to announce last year a doubling of [the UK鈥檚] contribution to the Darwin Initiative budget by 2005/2006.鈥�
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鈥淵ou suggested that I respond to Peter Crane. Peter is, of course, familiar with the government鈥檚 commitment to the aim of reducing biodiversity loss. He was at the Darwin Initiative lecture 鈥� the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs [DEFRA] is the sponsoring department for the RBG Kew, and his institution is closely involved with the department鈥檚 work within the Convention on Biological Diversity. Kew has also received several Darwin Initiative grants for plant conservation projects in developing countries and countries with economies in transition. I am a great admirer of the work that Kew does under Peter鈥檚 leadership,鈥� said Blair.
I greatly regret the recent removal of Michael Meacher from his post as DEFRA鈥檚 environment minister, but I am not one of those who thinks this means the government has become tepid towards the environment.
I AM delighted that the former chief scientific adviser to the government, William Stewart, has been appointed to chair the new 91色情片 Protection Agency, and also the National Radiological Protection Board, which is due to be incorporated into the agency next year. With SARS, white powders, BSE in North America and many similar problems to deal with, Stewart is likely to have plenty to occupy his fertile and constructive mind.
