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

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 20 June (HL8412), what are the names of the scientists, economists and environmentalists who have been working on the metrics to measure the progress of their 25 year Environment Plan; what meetings were held over the summer to engage interested parties; when the outcome of those deliberations will be published; and what is the timetable for the formal consultation on the package of metrics.

Over 100 specialists from Defra and its arm’s length bodies have been involved in developing the draft indicator framework. We have also worked with a range of external specialists from Defra’s advisory committees. Over the summer a number of meetings and workshops have been held with over 200 people from academic, business and voluntary organisations including workshops on landscapes, soils, water and wildlife. We will continue to engage with stakeholders to develop the framework.