Wildlife and Countryside Link

Clean Water Now - tell your MP to take action Take action A new water law is coming. Soon, MPs will decide whether to finally clean up our rivers, lakes and seas − or let toxic pollution continue unchecked. Right now, sewage, farming pollution…

If you want #CleanWaterNow for people and nature, then write to your MP today

🔗 action.friendsoftheearth.uk/target/clean...

Photo credits: Surfers Against Sewage

What would you rather?

Polluted seas? Or clean, healthy, thriving seas that can be enjoyed by all?

Clean Water Now - tell your MP to take action Take action A new water law is coming. Soon, MPs will decide whether to finally clean up our rivers, lakes and seas − or let toxic pollution continue unchecked. Right now, sewage, farming pollution…

Email your MP today 👇

action.friendsoftheearth.uk/target/clean...

We need a Water Reform Bill to:
• Stop the pollution
• Fix the water system
• Restores nature

A new water law is coming.

Ministers know this is a once-in-a-generation chance to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas, but Government proposals don’t match the scale of the water crisis - yet.

MPs have the power to decide.

Our report sets out essential priorities for Government which include:

Stop the polluters 
Fix the broken system 
Restore nature 

Read more in the full report: www.wcl.org.uk/docs/WCL_Cle...

Photo credits: WWT

This year is make-or-break for England’s rivers, wetlands and coastlines. A Water Reform Bill offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to finally clean up our waters.

40+ organisations have joined #CleanWaterNow to demand urgent government action for nature and people.

Clean Water Now Clean water can't wait: the Government must take action now for nature and people.

Join us in demanding clean water now, for people and nature. Find out more here: www.wcl.org.uk/clean-water-...

Photo credits: @surfersagainstsewage @capturedbycristina__

Our waters can’t wait any longer. If the Government lets this chance slip away, there won’t be another for years to come.

That’s why over 40 organisations have joined forces to launch the #CleanWaterNow campaign.

Clean water can’t wait.

The Government must take action now for nature and people.

Biodiversity Net Gain is meant to protect nature.

But right now, developers can skip it by ticking a box and writing a belief – not providing evidence.

No proof. No checks. No fixes for nature.

That’s the de minimis loophole – and it needs to go.

Read more: www.wcl.org.uk/docs/BNG_no_...

To really protect rural communities and wild animals, we also need to:

● Strengthen to hunting act to remove all exemptions that allow illegal hunting to continue.
● Introduce tougher penalties for those who commit wildlife crimes.

There is no place for wildlife crime. #EndHunting #TimeForChange

Time and time again trail hunting has been used as a smokescreen for illegal hunting with hounds, an activity that was outlawed in Britain 20 years ago but continues to this day across all corners of the nation.

A ban on trail hunting is just one part of the picture.

We’re back at Number 10 Downing Street with the Time for Change coalition to hand in a petition with 36,000 signatures supporting a ban on trail hunting.

We’re urging the Government to close loopholes and enforce the policy properly, not weaken it until it no longer protects nature at all.

Our latest blog explores this in more detail. Read it here: wcl.org.uk/biodiversity...

Our research shows that in its first year, 86% of eligible developments claimed exemptions, including many large sites using the “no or low impact” exemption.

Instead of fixing these loopholes, the Government is considering adding even more exemptions, which could push that figure beyond 90%.

Biodiversity net gain (BNG) is a critical policy for securing nature’s recovery.

Government’s PFAS action plan is a roadmap to nowhere Today the Government announces its PFAS action plan – this is designed to clear up and stop new contamination from forever chemicals, which are now present in an estimated 10,000 sites across the…

This is not enough. We’re calling on Government to go further and ban production and use of PFAS chemicals.

Read our full response here: www.wcl.org.uk/governments-...

The Government has today released a disappointing Forever Chemical Action Plan which will leave people and nature exposed to forever chemicals

The action plan does not address PFAS emissions at source but instead leans heavily on more monitoring and guidance.

Three years on from the Environmental Improvement Plan, ambition alone isn’t enough.

Without nature, climate and sustainability embedded across education, green skills and nature recovery targets won’t be met.

Read more in our blog here: wcl.org.uk/education-ma...

The largest water industry settlement is being paid for by customers, but what will it deliver for nature?

Our latest blog explains why clearer, more transparent reporting on environmental outcomes is essential.

Find the blog here: wcl.org.uk/clear-waters...

Government quietly released a report today. Just 3% of the most important habitat for wildlife is in good condition.

This must change or wildlife will be lost forever.

Don’t let this report slip under the radar: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/697206...

Everyone deserves clean water, now ‼️
The Water White Paper is out today with Government calling the proposals the “biggest overhaul in a generation”, but Wildlife and Countryside Link believe much more needs to be done.

🔗 Read our full statement here: www.wcl.org.uk/the-british-...

This Blue Monday, one thing is clear: connecting with blue spaces helps wellbeing and mental health. Not just today, but all year round.

When these places are clean, safe, well-maintained and accessible, they offer powerful benefits for people and communities.

How do blue spaces make you feel?

📣 Nature targets are not optional – they are the law 📜

Will this Government be the first ever to break the law by missing legally binding nature targets?

The Office of Environmental Protection warns today that much more action is needed.

🔗Read more here: tinyurl.com/WCLresponse

🌱The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) is back this June and will prioritise smaller farms.

After a year of uncertainty for agriculture, this is a win - but government must now invest more and put nature first, not just for business as usual.

🔗Full response here: www.wcl.org.uk/farm-payment...

Stronger penalties for cruelty against wildlife is warmly welcome too

But there must be no more delays – we will hold Government to account to ensure these changes are implemented from 2026

Bring on the consultations!

Christmas has come early for animals🎄🐾

We welcome the Government’s new ambitious Animal Welfare Strategy, with commitments to:
✅Transition away from cages for hens and mother pigs
✅ Introduce a closed season for hares
✅ Ban trail hunting