Memorandum submitted by English Nature
At its meeting on 2 December 2003, English Nature's
Council considered Lord Haskins' Rural Delivery Review and the
subsequent statement by the Secretary of State that were both
published on 11 November 2003.
Council welcomes the Secretary of State's recognition
of English Nature's world-wide reputation. It notes that the Review's
Terms of Reference related only to the delivery of Defra's rural
policies and, therefore, the Report did not examine English Nature's
fuller statutory responsibilities for biodiversity and geology
across urban, marine and coastal England.
English Nature's Council is required by its
duties to examine the implications of the Haskins Review, and
the Government's response to it, for England's wildlife and geology.
English Nature's Council recognises the case for the integration
of landscape and access issues within an enhanced agency: these
are already a vital part of English Nature's work in promoting
and realising the benefits to everyone of a resilient and diverse
natural environment.
The enhanced agency's success depends upon the
use of a mixture of advice, incentive and regulation through services
that are set within a national framework and, wherever appropriate,
devolved to regional and sub-regional levels. The work of the
enhanced body, across the full range of its remit, must be to
the same high standard as that currently provided on biodiversity
and geology by English Nature.
Council considers that the enhanced agency must
meet the following tests if it is to result in the maintenance
and improvement of the delivery of biodiversity outcomes, including
public appreciation and the enjoyment of nature:
— Have biodiversity as its primary,
though not exclusive, purpose;
— Embrace the full range of English
Nature's current functions alongside the functions proposed for
transfer from other bodies;
— As part of this, integrate the landscape,
access and biodiversity functions to maximise benefits to society;
— Ensure that the remit of the enhanced
body is enshrined in legislation;
— As an executive Non-Departmental
Public Body, provide independent advice to Government.
Implementation of current, and future, reforms
to the Common Agricultural Policy are critical to the success
of the enhanced agency. These reforms must ensure that public
funds provided to the agricultural industry deliver defined public
benefits. Critical to this will be an integrated package of properly
designed, resourced and targeted agri-environment schemes.
English Nature's Council looks forward to exploring
these issues with Ministers to help Government develop its response
to Lord Haskins' Report.
English Nature
December 2003
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