CAMPAIGNERS fear changes to European legislation could leave the wildlife of the Forest of Dean, Wye Valley and Severn Estuary unprotected.

The European Union's Birds and Habitats directives, which form the cornerstone of nature conservation policy across the continent, are currently under review.

So far, over 100 conservation groups across Britain have described the review as the single biggest threat to biodiversity in a generation.

The public consultation part of the review has received over a-quarter-of-a-million comments from across the EU.

The Wye Valley, Forest of Dean and Severn Estuary are home to important species such as the Pied flycatcher, Hawfinch, eels, salmon and the lesser horseshoe bat among others. These habitats are recognised as special areas of conservation and are currently protected by EU legislation.

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