Our Group is alarmed by the recent news that there has been a considerable decrease in some of our local biodiversity since the turn of the millennium.

Cllr Simon Curry, Medway Labour and Co-operative Group Spokesperson for Regeneration, Culture and the Environment said:

“It is extremely concerning to see this reported 72% fall in flying insects over the recent years in our local area. By this metric, we are suffering more than the average national decline by a considerable amount.”

“As a Group, we fully support the Labour Party’s national biodiversity strategy that wants to see more rewilding projects and requirements for all new developments to have requirements to plant trees alongside encouraging the use of swift bricks to provide nesting places for birds.”

““We all have a responsibility to protect and enhance our local biodiversity. This includes local development companies carrying out work on site at the right time of year and not destroying important habitats. Even in our own gardens we should do our own bit by not using herbicides and pesticides and allowing wild areas to develop and wildflowers grown in our lawns.”

Cllr Zoe Van Dyke, Member for Strood North added:

“Defending local biodiversity is an important plank of our climate agenda. Residents are invited to come and discuss this issue with us, alongside many other vital environmental subjects, at our next public climate conversation. This event will take place on Tuesday the 17th of May at the Sunlight Centre in Gillingham, starting at 7pm.”

ENDS

This was a reaction to this story published last week – https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/terrifying-72-fall-in-kents-flying-insects-266627/