Water Level Management

HC Deb 22 June 2000 vol 352 c300W

Mr. Brake

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which completed Water Level Management Plans include actions to eohance biodiversity on sites of special scientific interest. [125780]

Mr. Morley

MAFF encourages flood and coastal defence operating authorities to enhance biodiversity where possible when preparing Water Level Management Plans (WLMPs). Operating authorities have not hitherto been required to report biodiversity gains.

MAFF is aware of biodiversity gains at a number of sites where WLMPs have been implemented, but information is not generally available on the sites where there has been a gain.

The High Level Targets issued in November 1999 require operating authorities to report biodiversity losses and gains annually from 1 April 2001. Further information should then be available.