Source · Select Committees · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Fifth Report - Species Reintroduction
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
HC 849
Published 11 July 2023
Government response
Fifth Special Report - Species Reintroduction: Government response to the Committee's Fifth Report · published 27 Oct 2023
Recommendations & Conclusions
7
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 25
England Species Reintroductions Taskforce undermined by slow establishment and lack of stakeholder engagement.
Conclusion
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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8
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Para 26
Engage urgently with stakeholders and publish a protocol for Taskforce consultation and advice.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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 explicitly commit to the specific mechanisms for engagement or transparency requested.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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9
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Para 27
Publicise Stakeholder Forum sign-up and terms of reference by October 2023.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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