HC Deb 01 July 2002 vol 388 cc73-4W
Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment. Food and Rural Affairs how many plant and animal species have become extinct in the United Kingdom in the last 25 years. [63517]

Mr. Meacher

The Joint Nature Conservation Committee have advised that over the past 25 years 13 plant and animal species in total have become extinct. However, some species such as the large blue butterfly has been reintroduced successfully.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many(a) plant and (b) animal species are threatened with extinction in the United Kingdom. [63518]

Mr. Meacher

My scientific advisers on wildlife issues, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, have advised that there are about 489 plant species (including a significant proportion of rare lower plants) and 1,801 animal species (the majority of which are invertebrates) which are classified as endangered and threatened with the possibility of becoming extinct. The Department's second annual report, reviewing progress towards sustainable development in 2001 states that in 1997 16 per cent. of all invertebrates, 21 per cent. lower plant species and 1 1 per cent. of all vascular plants in the UK are considered nationally scarce.