§ Mr. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what steps the Government have taken to meet their obligations under the Action Plan for 1996 to 2000 for the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy; what further action will be taken in the period to 2000; and if the Government will make an annual report on progress to the House; [27976]
(2) to what extent the Government have participated in international monitoring of the implementation of the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy. [27977]
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§ Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what action the Government have taken to meet their obligations under the Action Plan for 1996–2000 for the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy; [28316]
(2) in what manner and with what frequency he will report to Parliament on the actions taken to meet the Government's obligations under the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy; [28317]
(3) if he will make a statement on participation in the international institutional arrangements for the implementation of the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy. [28318]
§ Angela EagleThe Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy is non-binding and does not lay down specific obligations. The Government are nevertheless strongly supportive of the Strategy process. In November we hosted the 'Planning for Biodiversity' Workshop for Central and Eastern European countries, providing a forum for the exchange of knowledge, experience and expertise in the development and implementation of national biodiversity strategies and action plans, and for discussion on other primary elements of the Strategy.
The Government have participated in international monitoring of the Pan-European Strategy through its membership of the Executive Bureau set up to guide and review the implementation of the Strategy process. The Government are also a member of the Council for the Strategy which is responsible for devising a policy to direct, guide, support and co-ordinate its implementation and further development.
The Government will continue to participate fully in the further development and implementation of the Strategy, and will play a leading role in the 'Environment for Europe' Ministerial Conference at Aarhus in June, which will review progress and take decisions about the way forward for the Strategy process to 2000. The Government will inform the House of the outcome.
§ Mr. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps the Government have taken in furtherance of (i) the Convention on Biological Diversity, (ii) the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, (iii) the Bonn Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, (iv) the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance and (v) the EU Habitats Directive. [27975]
§ Angela EagleThe steps taken by the Government in relation to the Conventions and Directive mentioned are set out in the United Kingdom's First National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity dated 31 December 1997, a copy of which is available in the Library.