East Herts Council declares ecological and biodiversity crisis with unanimous cross-party support

East Herts Council has declared an ecological and biodiversity crisis in the district.

The move reaffirms the authority’s commitment to protecting the environment.

The Green Party’s Cllr Tim Hoskin, EHC’s executive member for environmental sustainability, said: “Evidence shows that the natural world is under threat. Across Hertfordshire, 76 species are known to have become extinct over the last 50 years, with insects particularly affected.

“With a third of our food crops pollinated by insects and much of our wildlife reliant on insects for food, it’s essential we take action now to protect our critical natural capital and drive the recovery of biodiversity.

“The motion to declare an ecological and biodiversity crisis passed with unanimous cross-party support, underlining the council’s full commitment to tackling this emergency.

“We will work with residents in our rural and urban communities, businesses, farmers and landowners to protect precious species, habitats and ecosystems.”

East Herts Council is responsible for wetland areas in the Stort Valley as well as the internationally important Lea Valley Special Protection Area.

Rare chalk streams like the Stort are under increasing threat from water abstraction and pollution yet are unprotected by statutory designations.

A survey by Salmon and Trout Conservation UK showed that the number of mayflies, a key indicator species for chalk river health, was down by 44% compared with 1998 data.

As part of the declaration, the council will:

• Embed nature’s recovery at the heart of strategic plans, policy areas, service contracting and decision-making

• Support the goal defined by the Wildlife Trust to protect 30% of land for nature by 2030

• Set up a biodiversity forum to examine the ecological and biodiversity needs of the district and to identify action

• Prioritise investment in nature-based solutions to climate change.

These measures will build on steps already taken to support the recovery of diversity in East Herts including:

• Incorporating biodiversity net gain requirements, introduced by the Biodiversity Duty of the Environment Act 2021, into planning requirements

• Contributing to the Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership’s biodiversity action plan

• Working with partners across the county on the local nature recovery strategy.