AN MP is urging residents to "respond with outrage" at news that local wildlife sites and nature reserves are set to miss out on new European environmental protection.

Steve Webb (LibDem Northavon) is angry that under government proposals, 19 sites of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in his constituency will not be included in The Environmental Liability Directive (ELD), designed to prevent environmental damage and force companies which harm sites to pay up under rules of strict liability.

This is a far greater level of protection than the sites currently receive - at the moment payment is dependant on a successful prosecution, which would not be needed under the new rules.

But because the government has decided to implement the minimum requirements of the directive, many sites will miss out unless enough people object during the current three-month consultation period.

Among the unlucky ones are Lower Woods, near Wickwar, Hawkesbury Meadow, Tytherington Quarry, Winterbourne Railway Cuttings, Cattybrick Brick Works at Almondsbury and Hawkesbury Quarry.

Steve Webb said: "Why does the British Government go for the lowest possible standard? The rules are about protecting our environment from polluters and making them liable if a site is damaged.

"What this is saying is that in some places a polluter will have to pay the consequences, but not in our area. As many people as possible need to respond with outrage."

Stroud's Labour MP David Drew said: "The current proposals paint a gloomy picture for many wildlife sites in the area. The laws should be a great opportunity for the government to introduce rules that will protect our most precious local nature sites and all of our native species.

"I will continue to fight for all SSSIs in my constituency to be given protection under the ELD."

South Gloucestershire councillor Sue Hope (LibDem, Cotswold Edge), who is heavily involved in local conservation and protection, said: "I would be particularly concerned if this was to have a detrimental effect on the SSSIs in Lower Woods, Hawkesbury Quarry and Hawkesbury Meadow - all special places in the area."