Context
The MP is concerned about environmental degradation in the countryside including soil degradation, habitat loss, species extinction and water quality issues.
Question
What steps he is taking to protect the countryside. The Secretary of State will know that he is popular in the House, and he is a very mild-mannered, pleasant chap. I want him to turn into some sort of ravening big beast, because he has been in the job nine months, and we have soil degradation, habitat loss and species extinction, while none of our rivers and streams is fit to paddle in, let alone swim in. When is he going to wake up to the crisis that is facing our countryside and do something about it? It is not, “What's the plan, Stan?”; it is “What's the plan, George?”
Answer from George Eustice (Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Within the rich diversity of the English countryside, our existing national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty and sites of special scientific interest have the highest status of protection. The Prime Minister has signalled our ambition in this area and is committed to protect 30% of our terrestrial land by 2030. The £640 million Nature4Climate fund announced in this year's Budget will drive our progress towards this goal. As we think about the future, it is not enough just to protect particular sites; we need to build back nature in some of these areas. We will be doing that through our new environmental land management policy to replace the common agricultural policy, creating new habitats and creating space for nature. We will also be delivering this through the new approach and governance framework outlined in our Environment Bill.
Not addressed: The MP asked specifically about a detailed plan addressing soil degradation, habitat loss, species extinction and water quality issues, but the response was more general without specific commitments to address these exact concerns.
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