Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Biodiversity

Thursday 4 March 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Theresa Villiers asked about steps to improve protection for nature and biodiversity.
  • The Minister responded that biodiversity protection is a critical priority both domestically and internationally.
  • Villiers also inquired about integrating nature-friendly farming in the new agricultural policy and at COP26.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Theresa Villiers Con
Climate Environment
Context

No specific incident or context is provided, but the questioner seeks detailed steps to improve protection for nature and biodiversity.

Question

What steps he is taking to improve protection for nature and biodiversity. I am concerned about ensuring robust measures are in place both domestically and internationally to protect our natural environment.

Answer from Rebecca Pow

Biodiversity definitely matters, and it is critical that we act now internationally and at home in this crucial year for nature and biodiversity. In England, our Environment Bill sets out a strong legal foundation for improving the environment, and we have introduced substantial new funding for nature, including the nature for climate and green recovery challenge funds. We have protected 40% of English waters across 178 marine protected areas, and we have committed to protecting 30% of our land by 2030.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Theresa Villiers Con
Climate Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

No specific incident or context is provided, but the questioner seeks to ensure that nature-friendly farming is at the heart of the UK's new common agricultural policy replacement.

Question

Will the Government ensure that nature-friendly farming is at the heart of our replacement for the common agricultural policy, and will securing a global switch to sustainable and nature-friendly farming be a core goal for us at COP26? I am concerned about integrating environmental considerations into agricultural policies both domestically and internationally.

Answer from Rebecca Pow

I am pleased that my right hon. Friend has given me the chance to say that we on the Front Bench—every single one of the Ministers and the Secretary of State—are absolutely committed to nature-friendly farming, and there will be schemes through the new environmental land management system that will reward it. The sustainable farming incentive will support approaches to farm husbandry that will help the environment. That might include propagating integrated pest management and actions to improve soil health and water quality. Local nature recovery will pay for actions that support local nature recovery and deliver local environmental priorities, with farmers potentially collaborating. Finally, landscape recovery will support much wider landscape-scale and ecosystem recovery through long-term change of land use and projects.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)