Asked by: Barry Gardiner (Labour - Brent North)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent progress she has made in achieving and implementing the Aichi biodiversity targets.
Answered by Rory Stewart
Progress towards implementing and achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Targets is set out in the UK’s 5th National Report (www.cbd.int/doc/world/gb/gb-nr-05-en.pdf) to the Convention on Biological Diversity and in the 2015 report on the UK’s biodiversity indicators (http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-4229), published by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee.
Asked by: Barry Gardiner (Labour - Brent North)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what preparations she has made for the Convention on Biological Diversity COP-13 conference to be held in Cancun in December 2016.
Answered by Rory Stewart
The UK was an active participant at the preparatory meetings for the Convention on Biological Diversity COP-13 Conference, which took place in Montreal from 2-6 October 2015 and from 25 April – 6 May, as well as at the EU-level preparatory meetings. Further preparations will take place in the autumn once the schedule and documents for COP-13 are available.
Asked by: Barry Gardiner (Labour - Brent North)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that the sustainable development goals that have 2020 deadlines will be met.
Answered by Rory Stewart
Of the 21 targets under the Global Goals for Sustainable Development that have a 2020 deadline, 11 of these fall within policy areas for which Defra is responsible. These goals and associated targets largely mirror the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and will be implemented through activities that are already in place in respect of the Aichi Targets.
Asked by: Barry Gardiner (Labour - Brent North)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Convention on Biological Diversity Strategic Plan, what discussions she has had with stakeholders on the integration of her Department's agricultural objectives with its biodiversity objectives.
Answered by Rory Stewart
Defra has regular discussions with a wide range of stakeholders, including the agricultural industry and environmental organisations. These discussions have included developing our agri-environment schemes, particularly the new Countryside Stewardship scheme, which are designed to deliver biodiversity objectives along with other environmental benefits.