Author Archives: Miles King

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About Miles King

UK conservation professional, writing about nature, politics, life. All views are my own and not my employers. I don't write on behalf of anybody else.

Sells brings Cross to NE Board. Goodbye Doug Hulyer

Posted on July 5, 2014 by Miles King

The white smoke has appeared from the Natural England papal chimney – we now know who the new Natural England Chief Executive is – James Cross. He has arrived fresh from being the second CEO of the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). … Continue reading →

Posted in Andrew Sells, Natural England, Uncategorized | Tagged | 7 Comments

Farmers flout TB rules and campaign against loopholes which let TB spread

Posted on July 2, 2014 by Miles King

You really would think that Britain’s farmers would all be on-side supporting whatever actions are needed to reduce the scourge of Bovine TB, wouldn’t you? ‘Fraid not. Last week I explored Defra’s latest proposals to reduce the spread of bTB … Continue reading →

Posted in badgers, bovine TB, farming | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

How the Beaver got its name.

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Miles King

Following saturday’s blog on Beavers, I was curious to know how the Beaver got its name. Apparently it has a very long history. A long extinct language has been reconstructed from existing languages,  called Proto Indo European. This language is … Continue reading →

Posted in Beavers, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Angling Trust calls for Beavers to be shot: Defra Evicts Beavers from Otter

Posted on June 28, 2014 by Miles King

As some of you may know  a Beaver family has been spotted on the River Otter in East Devon.  A lone Beaver was seen last Summer, and this year, it appears that there is a family. How did that happen? … Continue reading →

Posted in angling, Beavers | Tagged , , , | 25 Comments

Kennel Club challenges Corporation of London over Burnham Beeches Dog Control

Posted on June 23, 2014 by Miles King

I recently wrote about Dogs and nature. Dogs undoubtedly have a fantastic social value, but also a large environmental footprint, not least in areas valuable for their nature. This causes some interesting tensions to arise, as dog-lovers also tend to … Continue reading →

Posted in corporate lobbying, dog poo, dogs, greenspace, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 22 Comments

Inside the murky world where climate denial, social media and industry propaganda converge

Posted on June 22, 2014 by Miles King

After an unedifying and ultimately pointless dialogue with Richard AE North on the Conservative Home website, relating to the badger cull yesterday (see yesterday’s post), I was drawn to his blog to see what he was fulminating about there. I … Continue reading →

Posted in anti-environmental rhetoric, climate change, corporate lobbying, the far right, Think Tanks, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Defra slams stable door shut long after cattle bTB infections have bolted.

Posted on June 21, 2014 by Miles King

Your favourite politician has been at it again explaining why it is so important to sacrifice, I mean, cull scientifically, badgers. He, or at least one of his minions, has written a piece on Conservative Home, of all places, seeking … Continue reading →

Posted in badgers, NFU, Owen Paterson | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The CAP no longer fits

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Miles King

If there was any doubt before, the Local and Euro Election results indicate there is no doubt that the future of Britain in the EU and perhaps of the entire EU project, now hangs in the balance. Euro scepticism has … Continue reading →

Posted in agriculture, Common Agricultural Policy, farming, neoliberalism, Owen Paterson, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

The CLA reacts hysterically to ideas of removing farm tax-exemptions ; the dependency on state handouts is akin to drug addiction.

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Miles King

I’m tempted to emulate the satire of Tom Pride’s Pride’s Purge with this story, but in truth it needs no satire. Apparently a “leaked document” purports to suggest that Labour are thinking about removing business rate exemptions on Agricultural Land, … Continue reading →

Posted in agriculture, CLA, farm tax breaks, farming, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Paterson – climate change will increase crop yields: Govt Scientists -Climate Change will cause crop failure

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Miles King

David Cameron may or may not be preparing for a major cabinet reshuffle following the Euro and Local Elections – and my favourite blog fodder Secretary of State against the Environment Owen Paterson may or may not be looking to … Continue reading →

Posted in agriculture, climate change, Matt Ridley, Owen Paterson | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments