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Select Committee · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

Species Reintroduction

Status: Closed Opened: 3 Nov 2022 Closed: 8 Nov 2023 17 recommendations 4 conclusions 1 report

This inquiry looked at the role species reintroduction can play in supporting nature recovery and biodiversity, how to maximise the benefits of reintroduction and manage any conflicts with other land users. You can view the terms of reference here . Our call for evidence closed on 13 January 2023.

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Fifth Report - Species Reintroduction HC 849 11 Jul 2023 21 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

2 items
2 Recommendation Fifth Report - Species Reintroduction Accepted in Part

Introduce clear interim species abundance targets with biennial reporting, informing committee by December

The Government should introduce clear interim species abundance targets and reporting mechanisms to record progress every two years towards species abundance goals outlined in the Environment Act. It should inform us of those targets by December

Government response AI summary
The government states it published interim species targets in January as required by the Environment Act, but found it difficult to set a specific target to reduce species abundance decline by 2028. It also deemed 2-year reporting impractical, and is reviewing other short-term metrics for …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
21 Recommendation Fifth Report - Species Reintroduction Accepted in Part

Require risk assessments and management plans before granting protected status to species.

If a reintroduced species is to be given protected status (as in the case of beavers), a risk assessment and management plan should be in place in advance of the protected status being granted. The protected status of beavers should be reviewed by the England Species Reintroductions Taskforce in consultation … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states it published management and licensing guidance for beavers ahead of protected status, including a management hierarchy. However, it rejects a review of protected status by the England Species Reintroductions Taskforce, stating it is too soon and the taskforce has no formal role …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Oral evidence sessions

4 sessions
Date Witnesses
26 Apr 2023 Richard Pullen · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Trudy Harrison · Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs View ↗
21 Mar 2023 Dr Andy Clements, Chair, England Species Reintroduction Taskforce, John Holmes · Natural England, Tony Juniper · Natural England View ↗
28 Feb 2023 Evan Bowen-Jones · Kent Wildlife Trust, Judicaelle Hammond · Country Land and Business Association, Professor Alastair Driver · Rewilding Britain, Tom Bradshaw · National Farmers' Union (NFU) View ↗
31 Jan 2023 Dr Katie Beckmann · The University of Edinburgh, Dr Sarah Dalrymple · Liverpool John Moores University, Dr Tony Sainbury · Institute of Zoology, Professor Richard Brazier · University of Exeter View ↗

Who gave evidence

13 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Dr Andy Clements, Chair, England Species Reintroduction Taskforce — 1
Dr Katie Beckmann · Lecturer in Wildlife Health & Conservation Me… The University of Edinburgh 1
Dr Sarah Dalrymple · Reader in Conservation Ecology, Programme Leader,… Liverpool John Moores University 1
Dr Tony Sainbury · Senior Lecturer in Wild Animal Health Institute of Zoology 1
Evan Bowen-Jones · Chief Executive Kent Wildlife Trust 1
John Holmes · Director, Strategy and Government Advice Natural England 1
Judicaelle Hammond · Director of Policy and Advice Country Land and Business Association 1
Professor Alastair Driver · Director Rewilding Britain 1
Professor Richard Brazier · Professor of Earth Surface Processes University of Exeter 1
Richard Pullen · Head of National Biodiversity Policy Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 1
Tom Bradshaw · President National Farmers' Union (NFU) 1
Tony Juniper · Chair Natural England 1
Trudy Harrison · Minister for Natural Environment and Land Use Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs 1

Correspondence

1 letter
DateDirectionTitle
21 Jun 2023 — Correspondence from the Minister for Natural Environment and Land Use regarding…