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Mar 04 - GSD Barbary Partridge Statement Incoherent and Poorly Researched - Claims Government

govt crest Responding to the Opposition’s statement on the Government cutting down  trees to accommodate a habitat for Barbary Partridges to be sent from Morocco, the Government has insisted that full consultation  was made with all parties, and the programme was embarked upon as part of the Government's ongoing attempt to conserve the Barbary partridge population on the Rock.

A No.6 statement claims that Mr. Netto’s statement is ‘the most incoherent and poorly researched’ notice put out by the GSD. The Government go on to state that these birds require open habitat to feed and nest.

‘Mr Netto accuses the Government of 'rushing', as if he didn't know the full range of expertise in the subject located in the very heart of the Ministry for the Environment and assuming as he usually does that if he doesn't personally know that something is happening in the Environment Department, then it isn't. Moreover, he seems to think that someone should have asked him permission to carry out the works. He seems to have forgotten that he is no longer the Minister.’

This type of habitat management work does not require planning permission. It is also noted that the new Environmental Protection (Trees) Act passed in Parliament makes an exception for authorised works within the Nature Reserve.

The introduction of Barbary partridges is described as a complex and delicate operation very susceptible to disturbance and possible vandalism, leading to the discreet nature of the project. Mr. Netto is accused by the Government of blowing the justified cautious approach to the project out of the window’.