Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Biodiversity Recovery

Thursday 6 February 2025 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Andrew George asked the Minister about the UK's position as a nature-depleted nation and the risk of extinction for one in six UK species, highlighting concerns over economic growth prioritizing over environmental protection.
  • Catherine Fookes congratulated the Minister on the plan to ban bee-killing pesticides and inquired about the impact on restoring nature and biodiversity for future generations.
  • Robbie Moore questioned the Minister regarding the proposal to take over one million hectares out of food production, potentially leading to the loss of more than 12,000 farms within a generation.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew George Lib Dem St Ives
Environment
Context

The UK is facing severe biodiversity loss, with up to one in six species at risk of extinction as per the 'State of Nature Report 2023'. The Chancellor recently urged against prioritising nature conservation.

Question

I am concerned about the UK's position as a highly nature-depleted nation. Given that up to one in six UK species faces the risk of extinction, and considering the Chancellor's recent encouragement to focus on economic growth over environmental protection, who is speaking for threatened wildlife? Whose side does the Minister support—the Chancellor or endangered species?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mary Creagh)

We need to end the false dichotomy between creating places for people and nature. Biodiversity net gain, introduced by the previous Government, ensures that developers deliver a 10% biodiversity enhancement when building new projects. We are also establishing a nature restoration fund which allows obligations related to important sites and species to be discharged at scale, providing significant environmental benefits.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address the conflict between Chancellor's growth agenda and biodiversity protection directly.

How: False Dichotomy

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Q2 Catherine Fookes Lab Monmouthshire
Climate Environment
Context

The Government recently announced a ban on bee-harming neonicotinoid pesticides.

Question

Congratulating the Minister for announcing our plan to ban bee-killing pesticides, does she agree that this move will restore nature and biodiversity for future generations?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mary Creagh)

I do agree. We will deliver 30 by 30 on land in England, which means protecting and preserving 30% of our land for nature and long-term conservation and management as part of our contribution to international targets.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q3 Robbie Moore Con Keighley and Ilkley
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The government plans to set aside around 20% of farmland for solar farms, tree planting, biodiversity offsetting, and wildlife habitats as part of their green agenda.

Question

Farming communities are facing significant challenges with the government's proposal to take well over 1 million hectares out of food production, potentially leading to the loss of more than 12,000 farms within a generation. Will the Minister acknowledge that farmers are caught in the crossfire between green targets and their livelihoods?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mary Creagh)

This is something that was being worked on even by the previous Government. The land use framework consultation has been welcomed by the National Farmers Union and farmers for providing certainty and security—something lacking under the previous administration.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address concerns over potential loss of farms and livelihoods.

How: False Attribution

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