Wildlife Protection (Hansard, 23 October 2001)

§ Mr. Morley

[holding answer 19 October 2001]: The protection of wildlife is fundamental to the Department's work. In the recent public consultation on a draft aim and objectives for the new Department, the proposed first objective is: To protect and improve the environment and conserve and enhance biodiversity, and to integrate these with other policies across Government and internationally". The Department has targets to bring 95 per cent. of Sites of Special Scientific Interest into favourable condition by 2010 and to reverse the decline in farmland birds by 2020.

The conservation of wildlife is integral to the Department's policies across the range of its responsibilities, including the promotion of sustainable, modern and adaptable farming and the promotion of more sustainable management and use of natural resources such as energy, water, fisheries and forests. The Department is also active in a large range of specific policies and programmes to achieve its objectives including: Support for and implementation of the relevant international conventions to which the UK is a signatory, in particular the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Bonn Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats and the Ramsar Convention on wetlands. Bilateral assistance such as the Darwin initiative grant scheme helps developing countries implement their obligations under the Conventions. Grant in aid to English Nature, the Government's statutory nature conservation adviser, to finance major programmes on designated nature conservation sites, species protection and recovery, and improving the wider countryside and the marine environment for wildlife. Implementation of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 which introduced improved means of protection from Sites of Special Scientific Interest and measures to combat wildlife crime. Management and licensing the taking, capture, killing, keeping and trade of wildlife species, including through support for the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime and Liaison with the police and HM Customs and Excise. For example commercial trade in about 850 species is currently prohibited under CITES and trade in 30,000 other species is only permitted where we are satisfied that it will not be detrimental to wild populations. Full implementation of the European Wild Birds and Habitats Directives through the designation and conservation of special sites (Natura 2000). Implementation is being extended to include the marine environment to the 200-mile limit of national sovereignty. Co-ordinating the UK-wide partnership for implementation of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan including the preparation of over 400 individual Habitat and Species Action Plans and the development of a Biodiversity Strategy for England, as announced in the Rural White Paper. Delivery of agri-environment schemes aimed at conserving and improving the landscape, wildlife and historic heritage of the countryside for which around £1 billion will be available over the seven years of the England Rural Development Programme. Policy reviews assessing future requirements for marine nature conservation and the management and control of non-native invasive species. Research to support and inform wildlife policies and programmes.