UK ports free-for-all could spell doom for grey seals

Fears grow for coastal wildlife as ministerial supporters of free ports' seek to scrap vital safeguards

The looming cranes of the Humber's four ports are surrounded by wildlife, from bitterns and marsh harriers to grey seals, lounging on the mudflats and hunting for fish in the estuary waters. Despite the steady flow of cargo ships in and out of the ports, wildlife has thrived - testament to the success of decades of environment policies, according to green groups.

Yet those groups are now increasingly alarmed that the government's plans to turn ports like those in the Humber into free ports will have a disastrous" effect on the seals and other wildlife across the UK.