P732 CEEFAX 732 Mon 27 May 00:44/45 1/2 CAMPAIGNERS DEMAND LESS GRAVEL MINING Environment campaigners have called for a tax on gravel to slow down mineral extraction, which they say is wrecking large areas of the countryside. The Council for the Protection of Rural England argues that protection of the countryside is more important than exploiting its mineral resources. The tax would force up the cost of house-building, the group concedes. But it would slow down the damage done to Britain's natural beauty, it says. Headlines 101 Sport 300 Newsround 170 TV & Radio 600 Next Page Diary CmntyJnfo ReligionP732 CEJFAX 732 Mon 27 May 00:37/20 2/2 CAMPAIGNERS DEMAND LESS GRAVEL MINING The Council for the Protection of Rural England has published a report Rocks and Hard Places calling for a reduction in gravel extraction. Minerals campaigner Michelle Coombs said the countryside had to bj protected from the "remorseless demand for minerals". The suggested tax is one of a list of recommendations in the report. A yearly quota and tighter planning controls are also called for. Headlines 101 Sport 300 Newsround 170 TV & Radio 600 Next Page Diary CmntyJnfo Religion