A wildlife charity dedicated to protecting invertebrates has concluded bugs and bees will be better off if the UK remains in the EU.
Buglife, which aims to conserve all invertebrates from bees to spiders and snails, said it was not telling people how to vote, but was concerned Brexit would pose a significant risk to looking after Europe’s wildlife and could threaten the charity’s objectives.
The EU has brought in regulations on habitats, water quality, clean beaches and non-native invasive species which have helped protect wildlife and ensures the government can be taken to court if it does not keep to the rules, an assessment by Buglife said.
Money is provided through the EU for wildlife-friendly farming and for nature conservation, while scientists are concerned that leaving the bloc could undermine the ability of researchers to collaborate with European colleagues and cut off funding, it said.
Buglife raised fears its ability to work on invertebrate conservation across Europe would be hit by leaving the EU, and Brexit would reduce the UK’s influence on environmental issues that are trans-boundary in nature.
While uncertainties remain, the charity said, on balance bugs across the EU would be better served by the UK remaining part of the union.
Matt Shardlow, Buglife chief executive, said: “We recognise that there are many factors for people to consider when deciding how to vote in June. But it may help them to know that the EU has benefited bugs in many ways and that, in our expert opinion, continuing to work closely with other countries in the EU to fix environmental problems should bring more benefits to the continent’s wildlife than the UK going it alone.
“Buglife is not telling people how they should vote in the referendum, but ensuring that they are better able to take a fully informed decision.”
