Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Native Species and Wildlife

Thursday 17 June 2021 · 4 questions

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

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government is consulting on the reintroduction of beavers this summer
  • East Staffordshire Borough Council and Staffordshire Wildlife Trust are thanked for their efforts in transforming the Trent valley
  • Government aims to produce sustainable food while recovering nature and supporting productive agriculture and nature recovery

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Roger Gale Con Herne Bay and Sandwich
Context

The MP is concerned about the protection of endangered native species.

Question

What steps he is taking to protect endangered native species. I am concerned about the recovery of native species in England. The Government has tabled an amendment to the Environment Bill for a legally binding target for species abundance by 2030, but more action on the ground is needed. The £80 million green recovery challenge fund supports nature-based projects.

Answer from Rebecca Pow

We are consulting on the reintroduction of beavers this summer. We must look carefully at management and mitigations needed. The Government is working to produce sustainable food while recovering nature, supporting productive agriculture and nature recovery.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm support for beaver reintroduction or campaign against agricultural land development

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Context

The MP appreciates the work done by East Staffordshire Borough Council, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and other organisations in transforming the Trent valley.

Question

Will my hon. Friend join me in thanking East Staffordshire Borough Council, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and other organisations for their efforts in transforming the Trent valley to create spaces that work for both people and wildlife? The Washlands is a fantastic place with an expansive natural landscape along the river through Burton upon Trent.

Answer from Rebecca Pow

Thanking East Staffordshire Borough Council, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and other organisations for their efforts in transforming the Trent valley. Partnerships are key to building successful projects to restore natural and cultural heritage. I visited the Somerset levels where similar partnership working is going well.

Answered
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Q3 Roger Gale Con Herne Bay and Sandwich
Context

The MP supports the managed reintroduction of beavers and is concerned about habitat loss from agricultural land development.

Question

First, I would be grateful if my hon. Friend confirmed that her Department will support the properly managed reintroduction of beavers, which can contribute so much to the environment. Secondly, endangered species suffer because of loss of habitat more than anything else. Will my hon. Friend join me in campaigning against the use of agricultural land for development?

Answer from Rebecca Pow

We are consulting on the reintroduction of beavers this summer. The Government is working to produce sustainable food while recovering nature, supporting productive agriculture and nature recovery.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm support for beaver reintroduction or campaign against agricultural land development

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Q4 Olivia Blake Lab Sheffield Hallam
Context

The MP questions why the Government's proposed legislation only commits to halting a decline in the abundance of species rather than reversing it.

Question

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Government have made grand claims about adding species-abundance targets to the Environment Bill to protect native species and wildlife. However, last week they published their amendment; will the Minister explain why the proposed legislation commits only to furthering an objective of halting a decline in the abundance of species rather than reversing it?

Answer from Rebecca Pow

The Government is committed to halting the decline of nature by 2030. This commitment includes local and national nature recovery strategies, land and sea protection, landscape recovery schemes, and environmental land management systems. We will consult on the exact detail of the target in 2022.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not explain why the proposed legislation only commits to halting a decline rather than reversing it

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