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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will use the extension to the deadline for publication of targets under the Environment Act 2021 to develop a terrestrial protected areas target, as proposed by the consultation on the targets and to help meet the UK’s commitment to protecting 30 per cent of land and sea by 2030.

As the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs set out in a written statement published on 28^th October, we will continue to work at pace in order to lay draft statutory instruments as soon as practicable.

The Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) sets out the steps HM Government intends to take to improve the natural environment. The EIP will be reviewed to include an overview of delivery measures needed to meet targets and at least one interim target for each long-term target that has been set.