Co-ordination of National and Local Plans
Recommendation (d). We recommend that English Nature, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, and the Wildlife Trusts be brought together under the England Biodiversity Group to address the poor co-ordination of the English national and local Biodiversity Action Plans.
The Government agrees that there is a need to further strengthen the delivery of biodiversity within England. It was for that reason that the Rural White Paper announced the preparation of an England Biodiversity Strategy. We expect this Strategy to be produced under the leadership of the England Biodiversity Group, which already provides opportunity to bring together all relevant interests.
In particular, we consider that much is already being done to address this issue, for example by the work being done by English Nature to break down the national targets to natural areas and to regional levels. In January English Nature appointed a Local Biodiversity Action Plan co-ordination officer. This post, which has been placed with the Biodiversity Policy Unit at DETR, will assist in providing solutions to the problems recognised by the Committee.
Published 21 May 2001
Return to Wildlife and Countryside Index
Return to Defra Home Page