A scheme to reverse declines in wildlife-rich dune habitats by getting the sands shifting again has been given a £4 million funding boost.

The project “dynamic dunescapes”, backed by the funding from the National Lottery, marks a move away from a decades-old approach to managing sand dunes by keeping them where they are with fencing and vegetation.

Sand dunes are home to rare plants and animals, with 70 species listed as conservation priorities including the natterjack toad, sand lizard and dune gentian, experts said.

Funding

But these important habitats have declined by a third since 1900 in the UK – and in Wales the situation is particularly acute with dune landscapes down by almost two-thirds.

Conservationists say dunes are naturally mobile and need to be moving to be effective habitats.

But previous management with fencing restricted public access and allowed invasive species of plants to become established, which prevented the dunes from moving.

This has turned landscapes which form a backdrop to many British beaches into sterile grassy hillocks which do not provide the habitat rare species need.

Using the funding, government conservation agency Natural England has teamed up with the National Trust, Plantlife, The Wildlife Trusts and Natural Resources Wales to create more dynamic sand dune landscapes.

Rare species

The project will conserve almost 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres) of sand dunes – some 35% of the total for England and Wales – and improve access for the public.

Conservation measures will include natural rabbit grazing, creating dune slacks or depressions that can be flooded, and removing invasive species.

The four-year scheme will also involve members of the public in monitoring wildlife and how the dunes are changing and train individuals and organisations in managing and researching the habitat.

Drew Bennellick, at the National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “In recent decades the approach has been to keep dunes where they are by using fencing and vegetation.

“We now know that this is bad news for some of the rare species that make their homes among our dunes and they need to be able to naturally move – to be dynamic dunescapes.

Landscapes

“It’s not easy to get the balance right – we need dunes to move but we don’t want them to end up in people’s gardens or taking over the beach-side car park.

“Thanks to this National Lottery funding and the expertise of the partnership organisations, this project can begin to find ways of addressing these pressing issues.”

Nicola Hutchinson, from wildlife charity Plantlife, said: “This project will radically revitalise our ailing dunes and the wealth of wildflowers they harbour.

“Re-injecting real dynamism into dunes will revitalise wild plants which may appear rooted to the spot but are always on the move and benefit from shifting sands.”

The project will concentrate on improving the condition of nine dune landscapes at: Anglesey and Gwynedd; Braunton Burrows, North Devon Coast: Carmarthenshire; Cumbrian Coast; Lincolnshire Sand Hills; North Cornwall Coast; Sefton Coast; Studland Dunes, Dorset; Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot.

This Author

Emily Beament is the PA environment correspondent.

Noel Fitzpatrick, star of Channel 4’s The Supervet, has trapped himself in a cage to highlight the conditions some farmed puppies are kept in.

The Irish TV presenter and veterinary surgeon staged the stunt ahead of his new series of Animal Rescue Live, which explores the “silent crisis” in the puppy trade.

Some commercial dog breeding facilities, dubbed puppy farms, are poorly lit and cramped, and some animals die from infection and genetic deformities, Fitzpatrick said.

Neglected

To draw attention to the hot and confined conditions some puppies are transported in, Fitzpatrick, 51, sat inside a cage in the back of a moving van before posing for a picture.

He said: “There is a silent crisis happening right under our noses – a dark secret in the otherwise joyful world of dogs.

“Tens of thousands of puppies are farmed and transported across the UK to be sold to unknowing families. Too young, too weak, too sick. They are woefully neglected and afraid.

Breeders

“No one should be brought into the world in this way, without love and without certainty, with more care for the profit and not the pup. I want to show everyone this terrible journey from their eyes, travelling and experiencing the conditions and fears a young puppy would face.

“The more people know about this reality, the more we can work together to stop puppy farming forever.”

It comes after former environment secretary Michael Gove presented a new law to Parliament in May aimed at cracking down on puppy farms.

Known as Lucy’s Law, it will ban the sale of puppies and kittens from third parties from spring 2020, making buyers deal with breeders directly. Animal Rescue Live airs on Channel 4 in August.

This Author

Alex Green is the PA entertainment reporter.

A global demand for shark fin soup has led to environmental campaigners calling on the UK Government to ban exports of the animal product.

Greenpeace UK said Britain has exported more than 50 tonnes of shark fins worth hundreds of thousands of pounds in the past two years.

An investigation by the organisation’s investigative journalism unit claims to expose Britain’s role in fuelling the global market for shark fins.

Fin

Greenpeace said the majority of sharks in European and UK waters are being caught by Spanish vessels.

Sharks are being landed in the UK, and their fins are then sent to Spain, one of the world’s biggest shark fin exporters, the campaign group said, adding that from there they are sold on to meet demand, largely in certain Asian countries, where shark fin soup is considered a delicacy.

Referring to data from HMRC, Greenpeace said shark fins valued at more than £300,000 were sent to Spain since 2017.

Will McCallum, head of oceans at Greenpeace UK, said: “Many people will be gobsmacked to hear that Britain is fuelling a controversial global trade threatening a majestic predator that’s vital to life in our oceans.

“With tens of millions of sharks being killed every year, the UK Government should do all it can to protect these creatures, starting with a ban on shark fin exports.

Controls

“We are campaigning for limits on shark fishing and also at the UN for a strong Global Ocean Treaty which will help shark populations recover from decades of overfishing and provide greater protection for marine life in our seas.”

Graham Buckingham, from shark conservation organisation Bite Back, told Unearthed: “The sheer volume of shark fins being exported by the UK is a shocking indication that global demand for shark fin soup remains high and that sharks from EU waters are paying the price.”

A Defra spokeswoman said: “The UK has a strong track record in marine conservation and we led the charge to ban shark finning across the European Union and pressing for stronger international action.

“While we’re a member of the EU it is not possible to introduce additional restrictions on shark fin trade, but leaving the EU will give us an opportunity to consider further controls.”

This Article

Catherine Wylie is a reporter with PA.

Noel Fitzpatrick, star of Channel 4’s The Supervet, has trapped himself in a cage to highlight the conditions some farmed puppies are kept in.

The Irish TV presenter and veterinary surgeon staged the stunt ahead of his new series of Animal Rescue Live, which explores the “silent crisis” in the puppy trade.

Some commercial dog breeding facilities, dubbed puppy farms, are poorly lit and cramped, and some animals die from infection and genetic deformities, Fitzpatrick said.

Neglected

To draw attention to the hot and confined conditions some puppies are transported in, Fitzpatrick, 51, sat inside a cage in the back of a moving van before posing for a picture.

He said: “There is a silent crisis happening right under our noses – a dark secret in the otherwise joyful world of dogs.

“Tens of thousands of puppies are farmed and transported across the UK to be sold to unknowing families. Too young, too weak, too sick. They are woefully neglected and afraid.

Breeders

“No one should be brought into the world in this way, without love and without certainty, with more care for the profit and not the pup. I want to show everyone this terrible journey from their eyes, travelling and experiencing the conditions and fears a young puppy would face.

“The more people know about this reality, the more we can work together to stop puppy farming forever.”

It comes after former environment secretary Michael Gove presented a new law to Parliament in May aimed at cracking down on puppy farms.

Known as Lucy’s Law, it will ban the sale of puppies and kittens from third parties from spring 2020, making buyers deal with breeders directly. Animal Rescue Live airs on Channel 4 in August.

This Author

Alex Green is the PA entertainment reporter.

A global demand for shark fin soup has led to environmental campaigners calling on the UK Government to ban exports of the animal product.

Greenpeace UK said Britain has exported more than 50 tonnes of shark fins worth hundreds of thousands of pounds in the past two years.

An investigation by the organisation’s investigative journalism unit claims to expose Britain’s role in fuelling the global market for shark fins.

Fin

Greenpeace said the majority of sharks in European and UK waters are being caught by Spanish vessels.

Sharks are being landed in the UK, and their fins are then sent to Spain, one of the world’s biggest shark fin exporters, the campaign group said, adding that from there they are sold on to meet demand, largely in certain Asian countries, where shark fin soup is considered a delicacy.

Referring to data from HMRC, Greenpeace said shark fins valued at more than £300,000 were sent to Spain since 2017.

Will McCallum, head of oceans at Greenpeace UK, said: “Many people will be gobsmacked to hear that Britain is fuelling a controversial global trade threatening a majestic predator that’s vital to life in our oceans.

“With tens of millions of sharks being killed every year, the UK Government should do all it can to protect these creatures, starting with a ban on shark fin exports.

Controls

“We are campaigning for limits on shark fishing and also at the UN for a strong Global Ocean Treaty which will help shark populations recover from decades of overfishing and provide greater protection for marine life in our seas.”

Graham Buckingham, from shark conservation organisation Bite Back, told Unearthed: “The sheer volume of shark fins being exported by the UK is a shocking indication that global demand for shark fin soup remains high and that sharks from EU waters are paying the price.”

A Defra spokeswoman said: “The UK has a strong track record in marine conservation and we led the charge to ban shark finning across the European Union and pressing for stronger international action.

“While we’re a member of the EU it is not possible to introduce additional restrictions on shark fin trade, but leaving the EU will give us an opportunity to consider further controls.”

This Article

Catherine Wylie is a reporter with PA.

Noel Fitzpatrick, star of Channel 4’s The Supervet, has trapped himself in a cage to highlight the conditions some farmed puppies are kept in.

The Irish TV presenter and veterinary surgeon staged the stunt ahead of his new series of Animal Rescue Live, which explores the “silent crisis” in the puppy trade.

Some commercial dog breeding facilities, dubbed puppy farms, are poorly lit and cramped, and some animals die from infection and genetic deformities, Fitzpatrick said.

Neglected

To draw attention to the hot and confined conditions some puppies are transported in, Fitzpatrick, 51, sat inside a cage in the back of a moving van before posing for a picture.

He said: “There is a silent crisis happening right under our noses – a dark secret in the otherwise joyful world of dogs.

“Tens of thousands of puppies are farmed and transported across the UK to be sold to unknowing families. Too young, too weak, too sick. They are woefully neglected and afraid.

Breeders

“No one should be brought into the world in this way, without love and without certainty, with more care for the profit and not the pup. I want to show everyone this terrible journey from their eyes, travelling and experiencing the conditions and fears a young puppy would face.

“The more people know about this reality, the more we can work together to stop puppy farming forever.”

It comes after former environment secretary Michael Gove presented a new law to Parliament in May aimed at cracking down on puppy farms.

Known as Lucy’s Law, it will ban the sale of puppies and kittens from third parties from spring 2020, making buyers deal with breeders directly. Animal Rescue Live airs on Channel 4 in August.

This Author

Alex Green is the PA entertainment reporter.

A global demand for shark fin soup has led to environmental campaigners calling on the UK Government to ban exports of the animal product.

Greenpeace UK said Britain has exported more than 50 tonnes of shark fins worth hundreds of thousands of pounds in the past two years.

An investigation by the organisation’s investigative journalism unit claims to expose Britain’s role in fuelling the global market for shark fins.

Fin

Greenpeace said the majority of sharks in European and UK waters are being caught by Spanish vessels.

Sharks are being landed in the UK, and their fins are then sent to Spain, one of the world’s biggest shark fin exporters, the campaign group said, adding that from there they are sold on to meet demand, largely in certain Asian countries, where shark fin soup is considered a delicacy.

Referring to data from HMRC, Greenpeace said shark fins valued at more than £300,000 were sent to Spain since 2017.

Will McCallum, head of oceans at Greenpeace UK, said: “Many people will be gobsmacked to hear that Britain is fuelling a controversial global trade threatening a majestic predator that’s vital to life in our oceans.

“With tens of millions of sharks being killed every year, the UK Government should do all it can to protect these creatures, starting with a ban on shark fin exports.

Controls

“We are campaigning for limits on shark fishing and also at the UN for a strong Global Ocean Treaty which will help shark populations recover from decades of overfishing and provide greater protection for marine life in our seas.”

Graham Buckingham, from shark conservation organisation Bite Back, told Unearthed: “The sheer volume of shark fins being exported by the UK is a shocking indication that global demand for shark fin soup remains high and that sharks from EU waters are paying the price.”

A Defra spokeswoman said: “The UK has a strong track record in marine conservation and we led the charge to ban shark finning across the European Union and pressing for stronger international action.

“While we’re a member of the EU it is not possible to introduce additional restrictions on shark fin trade, but leaving the EU will give us an opportunity to consider further controls.”

This Article

Catherine Wylie is a reporter with PA.

Noel Fitzpatrick, star of Channel 4’s The Supervet, has trapped himself in a cage to highlight the conditions some farmed puppies are kept in.

The Irish TV presenter and veterinary surgeon staged the stunt ahead of his new series of Animal Rescue Live, which explores the “silent crisis” in the puppy trade.

Some commercial dog breeding facilities, dubbed puppy farms, are poorly lit and cramped, and some animals die from infection and genetic deformities, Fitzpatrick said.

Neglected

To draw attention to the hot and confined conditions some puppies are transported in, Fitzpatrick, 51, sat inside a cage in the back of a moving van before posing for a picture.

He said: “There is a silent crisis happening right under our noses – a dark secret in the otherwise joyful world of dogs.

“Tens of thousands of puppies are farmed and transported across the UK to be sold to unknowing families. Too young, too weak, too sick. They are woefully neglected and afraid.

Breeders

“No one should be brought into the world in this way, without love and without certainty, with more care for the profit and not the pup. I want to show everyone this terrible journey from their eyes, travelling and experiencing the conditions and fears a young puppy would face.

“The more people know about this reality, the more we can work together to stop puppy farming forever.”

It comes after former environment secretary Michael Gove presented a new law to Parliament in May aimed at cracking down on puppy farms.

Known as Lucy’s Law, it will ban the sale of puppies and kittens from third parties from spring 2020, making buyers deal with breeders directly. Animal Rescue Live airs on Channel 4 in August.

This Author

Alex Green is the PA entertainment reporter.

A global demand for shark fin soup has led to environmental campaigners calling on the UK Government to ban exports of the animal product.

Greenpeace UK said Britain has exported more than 50 tonnes of shark fins worth hundreds of thousands of pounds in the past two years.

An investigation by the organisation’s investigative journalism unit claims to expose Britain’s role in fuelling the global market for shark fins.

Fin

Greenpeace said the majority of sharks in European and UK waters are being caught by Spanish vessels.

Sharks are being landed in the UK, and their fins are then sent to Spain, one of the world’s biggest shark fin exporters, the campaign group said, adding that from there they are sold on to meet demand, largely in certain Asian countries, where shark fin soup is considered a delicacy.

Referring to data from HMRC, Greenpeace said shark fins valued at more than £300,000 were sent to Spain since 2017.

Will McCallum, head of oceans at Greenpeace UK, said: “Many people will be gobsmacked to hear that Britain is fuelling a controversial global trade threatening a majestic predator that’s vital to life in our oceans.

“With tens of millions of sharks being killed every year, the UK Government should do all it can to protect these creatures, starting with a ban on shark fin exports.

Controls

“We are campaigning for limits on shark fishing and also at the UN for a strong Global Ocean Treaty which will help shark populations recover from decades of overfishing and provide greater protection for marine life in our seas.”

Graham Buckingham, from shark conservation organisation Bite Back, told Unearthed: “The sheer volume of shark fins being exported by the UK is a shocking indication that global demand for shark fin soup remains high and that sharks from EU waters are paying the price.”

A Defra spokeswoman said: “The UK has a strong track record in marine conservation and we led the charge to ban shark finning across the European Union and pressing for stronger international action.

“While we’re a member of the EU it is not possible to introduce additional restrictions on shark fin trade, but leaving the EU will give us an opportunity to consider further controls.”

This Article

Catherine Wylie is a reporter with PA.

Noel Fitzpatrick, star of Channel 4’s The Supervet, has trapped himself in a cage to highlight the conditions some farmed puppies are kept in.

The Irish TV presenter and veterinary surgeon staged the stunt ahead of his new series of Animal Rescue Live, which explores the “silent crisis” in the puppy trade.

Some commercial dog breeding facilities, dubbed puppy farms, are poorly lit and cramped, and some animals die from infection and genetic deformities, Fitzpatrick said.

Neglected

To draw attention to the hot and confined conditions some puppies are transported in, Fitzpatrick, 51, sat inside a cage in the back of a moving van before posing for a picture.

He said: “There is a silent crisis happening right under our noses – a dark secret in the otherwise joyful world of dogs.

“Tens of thousands of puppies are farmed and transported across the UK to be sold to unknowing families. Too young, too weak, too sick. They are woefully neglected and afraid.

Breeders

“No one should be brought into the world in this way, without love and without certainty, with more care for the profit and not the pup. I want to show everyone this terrible journey from their eyes, travelling and experiencing the conditions and fears a young puppy would face.

“The more people know about this reality, the more we can work together to stop puppy farming forever.”

It comes after former environment secretary Michael Gove presented a new law to Parliament in May aimed at cracking down on puppy farms.

Known as Lucy’s Law, it will ban the sale of puppies and kittens from third parties from spring 2020, making buyers deal with breeders directly. Animal Rescue Live airs on Channel 4 in August.

This Author

Alex Green is the PA entertainment reporter.