Bats and Rodents

HC Deb 27 October 1994 vol 248 cc819-20W

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what new proposals he has to improve the conservation of native British bats and rodents.

Sir Paul Beresford

In addition to the protection afforded by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to all native bat species and two species of rodent, the Conservation (Natural Habitats Etc) Regulations 1994, which take effect on 30 October, will further strengthen the conservation of many bat species and one species of rodent.

English Nature's species recovery programme, which has already enjoyed some success with the common dormouse and the red squirrel, includes a new three-year project to assist the greater horseshoe bat.