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.
December 2003
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