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

3 items
7 Conclusion Fifth Report - Species Reintroduction Acknowledged

England Species Reintroductions Taskforce undermined by slow establishment and lack of stakeholder engagement.

We welcome the formation of the Defra England Species Reintroductions Taskforce. However, we regret that the positive impact it has the potential to create has been undermined by its slow establishment and resultant lack of stakeholder engagement. The Defra proposed species reintroduction Stakeholder Forum, created to support the work of …

Government response. The government acknowledged the committee's concerns by providing updates on the Taskforce's establishment, meeting schedule, published terms of reference, and its plans to hold further meetings with key stakeholder groups this autumn to improve engagement.
8 Recommendation Fifth Report - Species Reintroduction Acknowledged

Engage urgently with stakeholders and publish a protocol for Taskforce consultation and advice.

Urgent stakeholder engagement is required to build relationships with key individuals; these stakeholders should have an open invitation to join the Stakeholder Forum and be able to feed into Taskforce decisions through it. The Government should be clear when the Taskforce is expected to provide advice and the influence of …

Government response. The government responded by outlining the Taskforce's existing activities, including its establishment, meeting schedule, published terms of reference, and ongoing efforts by the Chair to contact stakeholders, with further plans for meetings this autumn to improve engagement. It did not …
9 Recommendation Fifth Report - Species Reintroduction Acknowledged

Publicise Stakeholder Forum sign-up and terms of reference by October 2023.

A sign-up opportunity and terms of reference for the Stakeholder Forum should be publicised by October 2023 with the first meeting taking place before 2024. The Stakeholder Forum should inform the risk-based categorisation of species and be consulted before changes are made to classifications.

Government response. The government acknowledged the importance of stakeholder engagement by outlining the Reintroductions Taskforce's activities and plans for further stakeholder meetings, but did not commit to publicising a dedicated Stakeholder Forum with specific deadlines or roles in species categorisation.

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 ↗

Correspondence

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