§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mr. Elliot Morley)Section 74 (2) of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 placed a duty on the Secretary of State to list those habitats and species of principal importance for the conservation of biological diversity in England, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity 1992.
I have sought advice from English Nature, our statutory nature conservation advisers on the lists as required by the Act. On the basis of this advice I have today published a list of the habitats and species which the Government considers to be of principal importance for the conservation of biological diversity in England. Copies of the list are available in the Library of the House. Action Plans under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan are already in place or under preparation for all the listed habitats and species.
'Working with the Grain of NatureߞA biodiversity strategy for England' published on 24 October and also available in the Library of the House, sets out the means by which the Government will comply with its duty under Section 74 to take or promote the taking by others, of steps to further the conservation of the listed habitats and species, including through the continued implementation of the Action Plans.
The list will be kept under review and a report on any necessary revisions will be made as part of the first report on progress on the Biodiversity Strategy for England in 2006.