Mike and Dick,
as you might expect I agree with your comments. There is a
recognition in the EU that flexibility is required, e.g. in the Water
Framework Directive. However, as Mike pointed out the problem
lies in framing regulations so they can be enforced (i.e. they need
to be simple) while still allowing the neccessary flexibility. It is
interesting the number of SSSIs in unlikely places e.g. on land that
has been heavily influenced by people (not only farming but also
derelict industrial land) suggesting that central planning of nature
conservation is likely to be as ineffective as central planning of
economies.
However, what are the pressure points that enable policy to be
influenced to achieve the multiple goals we aspire to?
best wishes,
Graham Russell
Dr G. Russell
University of Edinburgh
School of Earth, Environmental and Geographic Sciences (Agriculture Building)
West Mains Road
Edinburgh EH9 3JG
SCOTLAND
International phone +44 131 535 4063 Fax +44 131 667 2601
UK phone 0131 535 4063 Fax 0131 667 2601
http://www.ierm.ed.ac.uk/people/academic/russell.htm
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