Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust: Acquisition of Agricultural Land

According to the website of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) (www.wwt.org.uk) the WWT purchased 63 hectares of arable land adjacent to Martin Mere, by Ormskirk, Lancashire in November 2002. The purchase was made possible by a 90% grant from the Heritage Lottery, which in turn is funded by the National Lottery. The funding included the cost of converting the arable land to a planned wetland habitat (1).

There is no mention of any integration of agriculture with conservation. This appears to be a total buy out from agriculture into conservation, funded essentially by National Lottery money.

The actual cost involved was not mentioned in the WWT news release announcing their purchase.

It should be noted that there is concern about how National Lottery Money is being used, as reflected by the marked decline in the number of people taking part in the National Lottery.

There is also concern at the amount of land passing into the ownership of Conservation bodies of various denominations, all no doubt registered as Charities. According to their website WWT centres now cover over 2000 hectares of land in the UK.

We are not informed in the WWT News Release about the manner of this latest purchase, but we hope that it is not similar to what has been alleged to have occurred regarding the acquisition by WWT of Powhillon Farm in Dumfries (2, 3) for the conservation of geese, which involved the eviction of the tenant farmer.

Land-Care was recently made aware of the alleged problems at Dumfries and has sent the following e-mail to WWT HQ:

4th January 2003
To: Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, HQ
info.slimbridge@wwt.org.uk

Dear Sir/Madam,

I write to you as editor of the website
www.land-care.org.uk
Two reports as to the alleged circumstances as to how Powhillon Farm, Dumfries, Scotland was acquired by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust has come to our attention. They make disturbing reading.
One report is contained in the journal FRESH AIR No 2, autumn 2002. p 17.
The other is a highly detailed report in the website - www.powhillonfarm.co.uk.
It is alleged that the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) (in connivance with others) achieved the legal circumstances whereby the eviction of the farmer was brought about. In turn, it is alleged that this opened the way for WWT to purchase the farm for geese conservation purposes.
While it is apparent that WWT had obtained the legal force to purchase this 213 acre profitable farm, the manner of its doing so would appear to do no credit to your organisation.
Before deciding how this matter may be featured on LAND-CARE, and subsequently in the publication LANDCARE SCOTLAND, I would be keen to receive in writing your side of the story. It would be helpful if the text of your reply was in a form suitable for publication, as that is the intention.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Yours sincerely

We look forward to receiving their reply.

References

1. WWT News Release. Martin Mere land purchase bid successful 22/11/02. (Click here to view).

2. Lies, corruption and concealed information - geese once more. Fresh Air, No. 2, Autumn 2002, p17.

3. What it has taken to convert a profitable 213 acre farm to a feeding ground for a flock of Norwegian Birds. www.powhillonfarm.co.uk

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Monday 6 January 2003

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust: Acquisition of Agricultural Land

References