§ Lord Craigtonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, when considering schemes for the protection of wildlife such as underpasses to enable badgers to cross roads, the "Conservation of natural beauty" referred to in Section 11 of the Countryside Act 1968 is to be interpreted to the same environmental standards as the "Consideration of Wildlife" by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under Section 41 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Lord Brabazon of Tara)When designing a road scheme careful consideration is given to arrangements to protect wild life such as badger underpasses, deer fencing and deer bridges etc. To this end the department consults both the Nature Conservancy Council and local nature conservation trusts. Their advice and views are sought on how best to minimise, if not eliminate altogether, the conflict of interest between the requirements of a new highway and wild life. In deciding what steps are to be taken in the exercise of their functions the Department of Transport and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food apply common standards in pursuance of their general statutory obligations. This does not preclude regard being had to other relevant considerations such as the cost of any protective measures.