‘Natural England’ to cut inspections

DEFRA HAS announced that the new integrated agency bringing together English Nature, parts of the Countryside Agency and most of the Rural Development Service will be called “Natural England”.

Subject to parliamentary approval, Natural England should be formally established by Jan 2007.

DEFRA said that the new organisation should make it easier and simpler for landowners and farmers to get funding, help and advice.

It would allow one person to make a visit that was previously carried out by two or three individuals from all the bodies it brings together, it said.

“This name sums up what we want the new agency to be about – protecting and enhancing the national treasure of our green spaces in England for the enjoyment of current and future generations,” said DEFRA secretary Margaret Beckett.