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Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill

This is a most interesting concept and I was intrigued to learn that we already have eight biosphere reserves around the country. I would like it if they covered both the land and its adjacent sea because that would provide scope both for intelligent tourism and for scientific study, perhaps involving people from other countries. On the amendment itself, perhaps it is worth raising one or two niggling points of drafting. First, I wonder what the word ““affirmation”” used in the second line actually means. Does it mean that all the local authorities in the area, if there are more than one, have to give their consent to further action by the Secretary of State? Secondly, what does ““a pilot status”” as regards the interpretation actually mean? I am sure that it could be a useful tool, but a little further elucidation might be helpful.