Introduction
1. The Government welcomes the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee’s report on UK Biodiversity. The Committee’s recommendations are for the most part either being addressed already or are a feature of developing Government policies.
2. The Committee produced two reports. The interim report of 6 July 2000, focused on those conclusions and recommendations which could be addressed by amendments to the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill. The Government notes that the Final Report, published on 7 December, included the interim recommendations noting whether or not they had been acted upon. Thus this response does not deal separately with the interim report’s recommendations.
3. The UK Government can only respond to those matters for which it is responsible. This response therefore, deals with those matters which involve co-ordination at the UK level and their delivery within England. It does not deal with those that fall to the devolved administrations. The response has also been prepared in the knowledge that the UK Biodiversity Group, the body established to co-ordinate work on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and advise Government on progress, is expected to publish its report on the first five years of the Plan by the end of March this year. The Government expects the Group’s report to take account of the Committee’s views and provide any further advice on measures to address the issues which have been highlighted. The Government will respond to the UK Biodiversity Group’s report, and will use the opportunity to reflect further on the issues.
Published 21 May 2001
Return to Wildlife and Countryside Index
Return to Defra Home Page