Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if the Government will (a) make impact assessments on all species reintroduction proposals in England mandatory and (b) require those impact assessments to assess the potential effects of those proposals on (i) agriculture and (ii) food production.

An application for a licence to release a species must follow best practice guidance in our published Code for Reintroductions, and should outline the benefits and impacts that the proposal will have on the local environment, and socio-economic interests such as agriculture. We would expect an applicant to demonstrate that they have undertaken sufficient engagement with local stakeholders to understand and manage these impacts. Most reintroductions are of plant and invertebrate species like the lady’s slipper orchid and large blue butterfly, and often bring only benefits for the environment.