EU referendum: MEPs and Telford zoo hits back at wildlife claims
MEPs campaigning to leave the EU have hit back at claims that some of the UK's best-loved natural habitats and threatened species could be at risk if Britain backed a Brexit.
Hoo Farm Animal Kingdom, in Telford, and Shropshire MEP Jill Seymour said the greatest threat to many species comes from over-zealous European Union regulation.
The RSPB and World Wildlife Fund issued a joint call to members to keep Britain in the EU, claiming European legislation had a positive impact on the environment.
But Will Dorrell, a partner at Hoo Farm, said: "We are strongly against the draft invasive alien species bill currently being proposed in Brussels.
"If passed, EU member countries would be forced to euthanise certain animals in public collections, such as zoos. This list includes raccoons and coati amongst other animals, with the probability of it being expanded in the future.
"Although we agree with controls on breeding and regulations that keep being put in place, to euthanise perfectly healthy animals in countries where there are no major invasive populations, such as the UK, would be over-zealous and extreme in the least."
Mrs Seymour, one of the county's leading Vote Leave campaigners, said: "It is ludicrous to suggest a Brexit would place the UK's treasured habitats under threat.
"Leaving the EU would simply mean it would be Britain and not Brussels setting the environmental policies which are in the best interests of our country.
"The whole point of being outside the EU is we can do what is best for Britain," she added.
