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Written question asked by Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 18 July 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 July 2023. It was answered by Trudy Harrison (Conservative) on Tuesday, 25 July 2023 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Butterflies: Conservation

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has held with representatives from the RSPCA on long-term trends in the numbers of butterfly species.

Answer

The Secretary of State meets with relevant stakeholders frequently.

The Government’s indicators of the abundance of UK butterflies show that since 1976, populations of habitat specialists have declined significantly, though species of the wider countryside show no significant change. Since 2014, both trends show no significant change. We are keeping these trends under review as encouraging but not yet definitive signs of progress.

In England, we have now set four legally binding targets for biodiversity. By 2030 we have committed to halt the decline in species abundance and by 2042 we aim to reverse species decline; to reduce the risk of species extinction; and to restore or create more than 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitats. We have set out our plan to deliver on these ambitious targets, along with our other environmental targets, in the revised Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP23) published 31 January 2023. Here we link the different objectives, plans and mechanisms for recovering nature.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
194711
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Conservation RSPCA Butterflies
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk