MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands signs Environment Charter.

In a new drive to protect and enhance the environment for future generations, the Falkland Islands and United Kingdom Governments have agreed to take action on several initiatives which should boost the activities of Falklands Conservation and also Ian Strange's long-standing conservation work on New Island as an “individual environmental champion”.

There will be scope to extend their activities, apply for further funding, co-operate with neighbouring countries such as Argentina and Chile, and share expertise with small countries around the world.

One of the commitments requires both the Falklands and United Kingdom Governments "to safeguard and restore native species, habitats and landscape features , and control or eradicate invasive species".

These pledges are contained in an Environment Charter signed recently in London by Councillor Mike Summers for the Falkland Islands and by the new Overseas Territories Minister, Baroness Amos, for the United Kingdom.

The Charter has implications for various projects already being undertaken such as the controversial rat eradication scheme by New Zealand experts, the seabird monitoring programme, and also for any further offshore oil drilling.

Under the Charter, the Falklands Government has committed itself to promote a comprehensive forum to oversee its obligations. It has promised to "bring together government departments, representatives of local industry and commerce, environment and heritage organisations , the Governor's office, individual environmental champions and other community representatives in a forum to formulate a detailed strategy for action".

Finance from various funds.

Money is available from several resources. The United Kingdom says it will use its existing Overseas Territories Environment Fund "for projects of lasting value to the Falkland Islands' environment". Alternative finance may also become available as Britain says it will "promote access to other sources of public funding". It has promised to "help the Falkland Islands identify further funding partners for environmental projects such as donors, the private sector or non-governmental organisations".

It will also provide "United Kingdom, regional and local expertise to give advice and improve knowledge of technical and scientific issues, including regular consultation with non-governmental organisations and networks", and also "promote better co-operation and sharing of experience and expertise between the Falkland Islands, other Overseas Territories and small island states and communities which face similar en