CCU 7^th Floor

Eastbury House

30-34 Albert Embankment

London

SE1 7TL

Email: [email address]

Website: www.defra.gov.uk

Dear Mr Holmes,

UK Wildlife

Thank you for your letter of 14 November about wildlife in the UK. I have been asked to reply to your letter, which is not being treated as a Freedom of Information request as this information is in the public domain. I apologise for the delay in replying.

The UK Government is committed to the conservation of our native wildlife.

The UK is one of 188 Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity which was adopted at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. This Convention has three main objectives: the conservation of biodiversity; the sustainable use of biodiversity; and the sharing of benefits from the use of genetic resources. In the UK this commitment led to the launch of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) in 1994.

The UK BAP's overall goal is to conserve and enhance biodiversity within the UK and to contribute to efforts to conserve global biodiversity. The UK BAP targets the recovery of some of our most threatened species and habitats in the terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments. For each priority species and habitat, an action plan describes the current status and threats, and sets out an action programme for achieving 10-15 year objectives and targets.

These action plans, and the UK BAP process as a whole, represent a consensus of Government, the statutory and voluntary conservation sectors, land owners and managers. They give us the best opportunity to date of reversing the major declines in the populations, range and quality of the UK's biodiversity resource. Each of the four countries of the UK has subsequently produced country strategies for biodiversity.

Wildlife management is a devolved matter, so questions relating to wildlife species in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland should be directed to the appropriate national government. I can only comment with respect to the species in England. 

The England Biodiversity Strategy was published in 2003; it identified new approaches and partnerships across sectors as being essential for achieving the conservation of biodiversity. Further information can be found at http://www.ukbap.org.uk.

Natural England, the Government's statutory advisor on nature conservation, is responsible for ensuring that England's rich biodiversity is protected and improved.

Natural England's Species Recovery Programme seeks to reverse the declines in England's animals, plants and fungi. The programme recognises that current habitat-based management approaches are often not enough to prevent extinctions and restore species populations to a point where they are secure. Instead, targeted action is often required. This may include a dedicated research programme to understand why a species is declining and what its habitat needs are; a period of trial management to assess how best to reverse the decline (possibly requiring reintroductions); and a period of recovery management to increase population sizes. Natural England is involved in all stages of this recovery process.

Most of the species selected for Natural England's Species Recovery Programme are UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species. Natural England and the Government work in partnership with voluntary conservation organisations, land owners and business to deliver the targets for these species. Whenever possible, the public are also involved so that the enriched natural environments achieved by the Programme are enjoyed by all.

The Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) requires EU Member States to take measures designed to maintain or restore certain natural habitats and wild species at a favourable conservation status within the community. Article 22(a) of the Directive requires Member States to study the desirability of reintroducing specified species that are native to their territory where this might contribute to their conservation status.  The Government is committed to conserving our current suite of native biodiversity and is by no means pre-disposed to oppose reintroductions of formerly native species, but any proposal would have to be very carefully considered before being supported.

In general, the conservation agencies have chosen to focus on projects which sustain current native biodiversity through species recovery programmes, supporting species already present but at risk.  This is regarded as the most effective use of limited resources. Natural England has also developed successful schemes for extending the range of existing native species, working with the RSPB for example on the re-introduction of red kites in certain areas and has been developing proposals for a possible sea eagle reintroduction in England.  We also understand that a private group intends to apply to release beavers to the wild in England but no application has been received as yet.

Natural England, would be required to licence the reintroduction of species no longer ordinarily resident in the wild and to do so, would need to be satisfied  that the release would not have a significant adverse impact on natural/semi-natural habitats, native wildlife or socio-economic interests and that measures could be put in place to deal with any unforeseen problems, should they occur.  There would also have to be significant public support for the project.  All re-introduction proposals would be thoroughly evaluated by Natural England on a case-by-case basis and would have to comply with IUCN guidelines.

Yours sincerely,

Kevin Woodhouse

Defra - Customer Contact Unit