§ Dr. MarekTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement on the recently established Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew conservation group; and what funding will be made available.
§ Mr. JackThe centre for plant conservation at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew incorporates elements from the body's former economic and conservation section, the living collections department, the Jodrell laboratory and seed bank. The centre's conservation activities include research, advice, and support to field programmes worldwide. It is funded mainly from the grant in aid provided annually by the Ministry to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
§ Dr. MarekTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make a statement on the present initiative being pursued for Mauritius by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
§ Mr. JackThe Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew was invited to collaborate with the Government of Mauritius and the Mauritian wildlife appeal fund to review the needs for plant conservation on the islands of Rodrigues and Mauritius. The intention is to develop a habitat restoration programme to ensure the long-term survival of threatened habitats and plant species on the islands. In addition, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a lead organisation in the production and editing of the "Flora of the Mascarenes" and is currently propagating a number of critically endangered species for future reintroduction.