Why is the Nature Competiton not a Merit?

I joined Smethwick PS in 2009 but only realised last night that successful prints in the Nature Competition did not count in with the Merits. Had I realised this I might have been able to reuse prints that had been successful in the Nature Competition in subsequent Colour Print Merits. Perhaps I should seek clarification on this from committee members who are clearly responsible for this situation.
At the same time I would like to ask why Nature has been singled out as a second class or niche subject that does not merit inclusion in the Merits totals. If Nature Photography is considered a niche subject perhaps we should consider making Nude Photography a niche subject too, with its own competition!
I realise that my comments are throwing a spanner in the works but I am disappointed to find that I have wasted time and effort in supporting the Nature Competition in the hope that it would assist me in moving up a division.

Fair point Roland, but I don't think the Forum is the right place to ask this question and would not expect to get answers.
Your question might be best addressed by a letter to the committee.
John Moore

Hi John,
I didn't expect a reply because committee members are as rare as hen's teeth on this forum. However I thought it might be a good place to let other members know that entries in a Nature Competition can be entered in a Merit even if they gained a position in the Nature Competition. I have only just found this out and so thought others might find the information surprising.
Roland Booth