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Written question asked by Angus MacDonald (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 14 July 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 16 July 2025. It was answered by Emma Hardy (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 July 2025 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.


Puffins: Conservation

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the devolved Administrations on coordinated approaches to monitoring puffin populations.

Answer

Defra provides funding through JNCC to the UK-wide Seabird Monitoring Programme (SMP), and the JNCC-led Seabirds Count census which provide UK-wide monitoring for seabirds, including puffins. The results are publicly available and will inform future conservation actions.

The most recent Seabirds Count census (2023) counted 474,679 pairs of puffins. Where comparable data were available, they indicated declines of 23% since 2000, reinforcing the importance of collaboration on seabird conservation.

The devolved Governments are implementing their respective seabird conservation strategies, so we continue to work together to coordinate action and data sharing.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
67762
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Conservation Devolution Puffins
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk