Falklands Conservation has expressed frustration on future environmental funding pledged by London once United Kingdom withdraws from the European Union.
Concern over environmental funding for the Falkland Islands following Brexit was once again raised in parliament last week, after Baroness Hooper submitted a question asking the Government “how much, if any, of the funding announced by the Prime Minister for the Darwin Initiative on 23 September will replace EU funding for wildlife in the Falkland Islands and other Overseas Territories?”
Sunday 3 March marks United Nations World Wildlife Day. The theme for this year is, ‘Life below water: for people and planet’. One of the key animals whose plight is being highlighted is the turtle, which are targeted for their eggs, meat and shells. The animal has also suffered from habitat loss due to construction on coastlines.
The minefields around the Falkland Islands capital, Stanley, dating back to the South Atlantic conflict, have remained largely untouched for most of nearly 35 years, due to the restrictions in place around access to the minefields. Over this time, they have become a haven for Falkland’s wildlife.