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Written question asked by James Gray (Conservative) on Monday, 9 February 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 25 February 2004. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Wednesday, 25 February 2004 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, when she last met (a) English Nature and (b) the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds to discuss hen harriers; what representations she has received from (a) English Nature and (b) the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds on hen harriers; when she last met the (a) British Association of Shooting and Conservation, (b) the Countryside Alliance, (c) the Game Conservancy Trust and (d) the Moorland Association to discuss hen harriers.
Answer

Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) when she last met (a) English Nature and (b) the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds to discuss hen harriers; [154719] (2) what representations she has received from (a) English Nature and (b) the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds on hen harriers; [154720] (3) when she last met the (a) British Association of Shooting and Conservation, (b) the Countryside Alliance, (c) the Game Conservancy Trust and (d) the Moorland Association to discuss hen harriers. [154721] Mr. Bradshaw: With Regards to English Nature there has been no formal meeting to discuss, or specific representations received, on the position of hen harriers in England. However, we have received representations on habitats, including upland heathland, which support hen harrier populations, in relation to the condition of sites of special scientific interest. English Nature has also provided briefing on the establishment and progress of their Hen Harrier Recovery Project. The RSPB met with my hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Environment, (Mr Morley), in late 2002 to discuss Hen Harriers. Ministers met with the Game Conservancy Trust in May 2000, after the publication of the Raptor Working Group final report. Discussions focussed on the issues and recommendations surrounding this report. A further meeting is in the process of being arranged, for which the agenda has not yet been determined. I met with BASC in November last year, though we did not discuss hen harriers. I have been invited to meet with the Countryside Alliance. However, due to other pressing diary commitments I have had to decline. This meeting was not to specifically discuss the issue surrounding Hen Harriers. Ministers have not met with the Moorland Association regarding the position of hen harriers in England.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
418 c421W;418 c441W; 154719;154720;154721
Session
2003-04
Subjects
Birds Conservation Protection Nature conservation Wildlife Hen harriers
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk