Dear All
As we have demonstrated in previous updates, the Scottish Government has previously and is currently failing to conserve the Scottish Wildcat and indeed haven’t even objected to a windfarm being placed in the their last stronghold. We decided therefore to raise a complaint to the Bern Convention which operates above national government level. The Bern Convention is a binding international legal instrument in the field of nature conservation, covering most of the natural heritage of the European continent and extending to some States of Africa. For the past few months our whole team has been working flat out to produce a compelling case that would trigger the Bern Convention opening a case file. We are delighted to inform that that the Bern Convention has now formally opened a case file against the U.K/Scottish Government looking into our allegations of failures to conserve the Scottish wildcat . The Govt will now have until July the 31st, to respond to the complaint (which will be forwarded on by Defra to the devolved admins for the Scottish response)
- this is a significant milestone and now means that the government cannot hide behind excuses, refusals to respond to criticism and indeed can’t use their own departments to investigate each other. They will now be scrutinised by an independent, international body.
- as far as we are aware, this is the first ever complaint against a renewable energy project in the U.K. that has been investigated by the Bern secretariat - so it may set some important precedents more broadly about joining up climate and biodiversity goals. We also confirmed that we are pro green energy just not at the expense of the extinction of the Scottish wildcat. We trust that you agree with that stance.
This petition was included in our complaint and we have no doubt that it was a significant factor in demonstrating clear and emphatic public support for the Scottish wildcat so we thank you for that. The work of all the lawyers, ecologists and other professionals involved in getting this landmark case file opened, has all been funded by you and we have been humbled by your support.
However whilst this is a major breakthrough, this is just the start of the process for getting the Scottish wildcat the recognition and protection it so badly needs. Our work continues at a pace and we need your support more than ever, so if you can find it in your hearts to help us at this crucial time, then this is how you can do it:
To donate £3, text WILDCAT to 70331
To donate £5, text WILDCAT to 70970
To donate £10, text WILDCAT to 70191
To donate £20, text CAT20 to 70191
The donation will come directly out of your phone bill so there is no need to enter any bank details.
INTERNATIONAL SUPPORTERS- VERY IMPORTANT. For our many international supporters, the UK text system won't work but you can donate through the weblink for our campaign at:
Fundraising, payments and donations will be processed and administered by the National Funding Scheme (Charity No: 1149800), operating as DONATE. Texts will be charged at your standard network rate.
The Official letter issued to the UK government by the Bern Convention can be found in the news section at:
We hope you are all keeping safe. More updates will follow so keep watching
Many thanks in advance
The Wildcat Haven Team