§ Mr. BurgonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the review of non-native species policy outlined in the Government's rural White Paper will commence. [156758]
§ Mr. MeacherA review group, consisting of Government and non-Government organisations, will start work early next month to carry out the review of non-native species policy. The review process will:
Evaluate the effectiveness of current statutory or non-statutory procedures for dealing with the introduction and establishment of non-native species and identify examples of current best practice within the United Kingdom and abroad.Identify the main vectors for the introduction and spread of non-native species.Put forward practical and proportionate costed proposals for improving measures to limit the ecological and economic impact of non-native species in Great Britain and recommend measures to limit the impact of the introduction of native species beyond their natural range. These could include proposals for statutory or non-statutory measures in areas of research and monitoring, trade, and control of non-native species.Identify appropriate organisations to take forward any measures recommended.The review should be completed by the end of 2001.