Written question asked by Helen Clark (Labour) on Friday, 26 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 March 2005. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Monday, 7 March 2005 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the impact termination of the EU Life Nature Fund would have on her Department's ability to meet its Public Service Agreement target of achieving favourable conditions for 95 per cent. of sites of special interest in England by 2010.

Answer: Mrs. Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact termination of the EU Life Nature Fund would have on her Department's ability to meet its public service agreement target of achieving favourable conditions for 95 per cent. of sites of special interest in England by 2010. [200579] Mr. Bradshaw: It has not yet been possible to make an assessment of the impact because the European Commission has yet to provide member states with answers to detailed questions about their proposals, including the scope of the proposed LIFE+ Regulation to replace the LIFE Nature Regulation. Moreover, applications for funding under Life Nature are made by a variety of organisations. I am unable to say which among those with responsibility for aspects of SSSI condition have been expecting to rely on a Life Nature contribution in taking this forward.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 431 c1500W;431 c1494W; 200579
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Biodiversity EU action EU grants and loans Nature conservation Sites of special scientific interest
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk