Healthy environment essential for national security, nature agency boss says

The country must invest in nature even at times of economic hardship – or pay a “big bill down the track”, the head of Natural England has warned.

Tony Juniper, chairman of the government agency which looks after the nature in England, said a healthy natural environment was essential for national security, prosperity and public health.

He argued England had the targets and policies it needs to deliver a turnaround for nature – but suggested some areas such as reintroducing beavers to the wild were going more slowly than he would like.

In the face of debates over whether the country could