§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list animal species protected by domestic legislation which her Department plans to lift; and for what reasons such legislation is being reviewed. [101259]
§ Mr. MorleyAll wild birds, certain animals and certain plants are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Schedules 5&8 (list of protected animals and plants respectively) are statutorily reviewed every five years. My Department has received the views of the JNCC and has consulted internally on their advice. A full public consultation will take place this year. JNCC have not recommended the removal of any species.
I announced on 3 March that the Government have concluded that the protection afforded by domestic legislation to the ruddy duck should be removed. This is in line with our Rural White Paper commitment to review the provisions of Part 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, with a view to rationalising the identification and protection of rare and endangered species.