HC Deb 22 February 2000 vol 344 cc922-3W
Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to protect(a) vascular plants, (b) fungi, (c) lichens, (d) bryophytes and (e) stoneworts; and if he will make a statement. [110706]

Mr. Mullin

All wild plants are protected from picking, uprooting and destruction by unauthorised persons under section 13 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

The highest level of protection is given to wild plants of species listed in schedule 8 to the Act. All intentional picking, uprooting and destruction of wild plants of these species is prohibited. Sale of plant species listed in schedule 8 is also prohibited.

Additionally, there are a number of Biodiversity Action Plans being implemented for many species of vascular plants, fungi, lichens, bryophytes and stoneworts.

Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of(a) wild flower meadows, (b) open heaths, (c) open peat bogs and (d) hedgerows were (i) destroyed and (ii) seriously damaged between 1979 and 1997 in (x) England and (y) Shropshire; and if he will make a statement. [110705]

Mr. Mullin

Comprehensive information on loss and damage to wildflower meadows, open heaths, open peat bogs and hedgerows for England for the full period between 1979 and 1997 is not currently available. However, it is estimated that 18 per cent. of non-agriculturally improved grasslands and calcareous grasslands, 2 per cent. of open heaths and 2 per cent. of open peat bogs were converted for agriculture or forestry in Great Britain in the period between 1984 and 1990. It is estimated that 12 per cent. of hedgerows were removed in England and Wales in the period between 1984 and 1993. These losses were partly compensated for by creation and natural regeneration of habitats and planting of new hedges. No separate estimates of damage are currently available for any of these features.

In Shropshire, the Shropshire Wildlife Trust have estimated that 20 per cent. of wildflower meadows, 6.1 per cent. of open heaths, and 3.5 per cent. of open peat bogs were lost between 1979 and 1989.

The Department is currently funding Countryside Survey 2000, which will provide up-to-date estimates of change in broad habitat types for Great Britain.