§ Ms. QuinTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to encourage the return of the corncrake to its farmland habitat. [20243]
§ Mr. Jack[holding answer 25 April 1995]: The present UK population of corncrakes is confined almost entirely to the north and west of Scotland where the Government have contributed to schemes designed to increase their numbers. English Nature has advised that a reintroduction programme for England is not considered feasible at present given the lack of any substantial areas of suitable habitat. However, the corncrake is a candidate species under consideration by the biodiversity steering group for an individual action plan to improve its conservation status.