Written question asked by Mike Amesbury (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 November 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 9 November 2023. It was answered by Trudy Harrison (Conservative) on Monday, 13 November 2023 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Wildlife: Nature Conservation

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Fifth Special Report of Session 2022-23 of the Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs Committee on Species Reintroduction: Government response to the Committee's Fifth Report, published on 27 October 2023, HC 1931, on what criteria her Department decides when it is appropriate to support the reintroduction of recently lost former native species.

Answer: The reintroduction of any species in England should follow our published guidance and Code for Reintroductions, which provides the best practice for assessing the benefits and impacts of releasing a species into the wild. The appropriateness of a reintroduction proposal will be highly dependent on the specific circumstances in which it is made, for example the surrounding environmental conditions, socio-economic circumstances, or species already present in that location. As such, Natural England assess applications for release licences on a case-by-case basis, ensuring that any applications align to the Code.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 446
Session: 2023-24
Related items: Species reintroduction: Government response to the Committee's fifth report of session 2022-23. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee fifth special report
Tuesday, 24 October 2023
Parliamentary committees
House of Commons
Subjects: Nature conservation Wildlife
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk