The European ‘Habitats Directive’ celebrated its 21st birthday last month.

This is part of a vital suite of policy measures and legal safeguards that defend the most threatened species and habitats across Europe.

These are not just forgotten corners of Britain but spectacular, familiar places that we have been able to defend because of their international importance for wildlife – places like Ashdown Forest, Rye Harbour nature reserve, Chichester Harbour and much of the orchid-rich chalk grassland on the South Downs. While not as strong as we would like, these nature directives are vital tools in our defence of nature in Sussex.

In Britain and in Europe the inoffensive-sounding ‘REFIT’ programme aims to make these EU laws ‘lighter, simpler and less costly’. Sounds sensible – but bold assertions that these nature directives are ‘gold-plated EU legislation’ that are placing a burden on industry are not supported by any evidence.

Indeed, nature underpins society – including our economy – so superficial ideas of sweeping away the defence of nature so we can get on with business is almost entirely counterproductive. It is vital that we keep the ability to defend nature. These laws must be kept, or made stronger.

Instead, however, we are faced with the real prospect of the nature directives being watered down. For more details read Ian Hepburn’s blog sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk and to add your comments on defending our most important places for nature visit wildlifetrusts.org/defendnature

Dr Tony Whitbread is chief executive of the Sussex Wildlife Trust