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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what legislative proposals his Department plans to bring forward to address the decline in biodiversity.

We are taking action through our widely welcomed Ivory Act to support the conservation of elephants. We will launch a call for evidence in the coming months on extending the ban on UK ivory sales to other ivory-bearing species.

Our forthcoming Environment Bill will include ambitious legislative measures to take direct action to restore and enhance nature. Subject to consultation, we will legislate on biodiversity net gain to ensure that new developments have a positive effect on the environment. We will also consider proposals for conservation covenants. In terms of trees, we will take action to stop illegal deforestation and deliver on our manifesto commitment to ensure councils consult if they are removing street trees. This will give the public a greater say in street tree management.