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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the global environmental significance of chalk rivers; and if she will make a statement.

There are 161 chalk rivers across England, representing some 85% of the world’s chalk river resource (other chalk rivers being found in northern France and New Zealand). The Government recognises the environmental and cultural importance of this rare river habitat, which is well represented in both the national and European designated site network in recognition of its particular importance in a European context.