THE Quarry Products Association and English Nature have signed a series of three Memoranda of Understanding that signify a major advance in the two organizations’ ongoing collaborative work in enhancing biodiversity and geodiversity. Following the initial signing of a joint ‘Statement of Intent’ in 1998, the three new memoranda cover all terrestrial operations and, for the first time, the marine environment.
In the overarching Memorandum of Understanding, the two organizations have pledged to support the concept of sustainable development and will regard sensitive material extraction and a diverse natural environment as important indicators of success. To achieve this the quarrying industry will endeavour to: conserve, enhance and promote biodiversity and geodiversity; and manage areas under its stewardship to support nature conservation.
Similarly, English Nature has pledged to: provide expert advice to operators, companies and the QPA; and communicate the work of the Minerals and Nature Conservation Forum and disseminate best practice to staff.
In the more detailed and separate memorandum for ‘terrestrial operations’ the QPA, the Silica and Moulding Sands Association (SAMSA) and English Nature have committed to specific objectives covering: the dissemination of good practice; the provision of training; the production of company biodiversity and geodiversity action plans within five years; and progress towards achieving the Government’s target of 95% of all SSSIs to be in a favourable nature conservation condition by 2010.
The memorandum for ‘marine operations’ between the British Marine Aggregate Producers Association (BMAPA) and English Nature allows for a broad scope of partnership initiatives as well as promoting the concept of ‘marine stewardship’, best practice, appropriate research and knowledge-sharing.
The signing ceremony was held in London at the end of June with Andy Brown, chief executive of English Nature, Lynda Thompson, chairman of the QPA, Philip Walker, president of SAMSA, and Martin Drury, chairman of BMAPA, in attendance.
Speaking at the signing, Lynda Thompson said: ‘We are delighted to reconfirm and extend our commitment to sustainable aggregates extraction and look forward to working with English Nature to achieve our shared objectives.’
Andy Brown added: ‘I am particularly pleased to sign these agreements, which take forward our partnership work managing SSSIs and enhancing biodiversity and geodiversity, as well as extending our collaboration into the marine environment.’
