Archived press release

Stop the Tide of Destruction Mr Blair

24 September 1999

Picture Opportunity: Friday 24 September 1999
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STOP THE TIDE OF DESTRUCTION MR BLAIR
Giant Landscape Cartoon Calls For New Wildlife Laws

*** PHOTO OPPORTUNITY ***
Photographs can be taken from the cliff tops above. FOE staff will be contactable at the site of the cartoon adjacent to Bournemouth's West Pier.

A giant cartoon of Tony Blair will be created on Bournemouth beach on Friday to remind the Prime Minister of his Government's promise of new laws to protect Britain's endangered wildlife. The massive cartoon, which is designed to be clearly visible from a cliff top perspective, has been specially created by political cartoonist Steve Bell, and will be reproduced on the beach by landscape artist Simon English.

The cartoon, which will depict the PM as a giant butterfly, because of his apparently fragile commitment to wildlife protection, will be destroyed by the incoming tide - demonstrating how wildlife can be easily wiped out without proper protection. Work on the image will start at 10am and will be completed by 2pm, when the tide will start to come in. It will be created next to the West Pier. The Labour Party Conference, which is being held in Bournemouth, begins this weekend

The Government has so far failed to deliver on its promise to protect the UK's wildlife,despite repeated promises to act. Furthermore, hundreds of Labour MPs have given their support to FOE's call for a new Wildlife bill. Earlier this year a quarter of a million pledges were delivered to Downing Street calling for new legislation.

Every year over 300 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) suffer loss and damage according to official data. English Nature, the Government's wildlife adviser, has reported that neglect of sites is an even greater problem with 45 per cent of SSSIs in an'unfavourable' condition.

Matt Phillips, Senior Wildlife Campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:
“This cartoon has a serious message. Tony Blair promised new wildlife laws in his Manifesto, now it's time for him to deliver and stop the tide of destruction.Michael Meacher, John Prescott and most Labour MPs want new wildlife laws,but it is Mr Blair who must ensure that they are in this year's Queen's Speech.”
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For further information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

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Archived press release

Stop the Tide of Destruction Mr Blair

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