§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he plans to introduce immediately in response to the Biodiversity United Kingdom steering group report relating to the management of environmentally important United Kingdom habitats. [16807]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe Biodiversity steering group chaired by my Department, with members drawn from all sectors, was set up to advise the Government on individual costed action plans for selected species and622W habitats, a forward programme for improving biological recording and monitoring in the UK and a programme for improving public awareness and involvement in conserving biodiversity.
The group published its findings on 13 December 1995. "Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report" contains a number of proposals including costed action plans for 14 key habitats. It also recommends that costed action plans for a further 24 key habitats be produced within three years. Each of the habitat action plans contains proposals for the management of the habitat.
The Government are currently considering the advice and recommendations in the report and expect to publish their response in the spring of 1996.