The Scottish Wildlife Trust has described the Scottish Government’s draft budget as bad news for wildlife.  Next week the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs and Environment Committee will take evidence on the draft budget and the Scottish Wildlife Trust have submitted their official response.

The Scottish Government is aiming for more renewable energy in our seas but has slashed the budgets for those bodies fighting to protect the marine environment.

Spending on the environment is a major ‘preventative spend’ area if budgets are maintained, but this budget cuts the Rural Affairs and Environment budget by 5% over the next 5 years.

Commenting, Tony King, the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Head of Policy said:

“The Scottish Government’s 2012 budget is bad news for wildlife. Support for wildlife friendly farming is being slashed by a fifth; Marine Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage are taking cuts while their workload increases.

“There is no recognition of the vital role of a high quality natural environment in wealth generation. Spending on the environment is a real spend to save area. By investing now, we could reduce pressures elsewhere across government by benefitting people’s health and quality of life.”

You can read the Scottish Wildlife Trust's official position on the draft budget by downloading our consultation response.