Species Reintroduction

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 3 Nov 2022 Closed: 8 Nov 2023 Parliament page
This inquiry looked at the role species reintroduction can play in supporting nature recovery and biodiversity, how to maximise the benefits of reintroduction and manage any conflicts with other land users. You can view the terms of reference here . Our call for evidence closed on 13 January 2023.
17 Recommendations
4 Conclusions
1 Report
4 Oral sessions
1 Letter
4 Events
Activity timeline 11 events
11 Jul
2023
26 Apr
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 5, Palace of Westminster
21 Mar
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
28 Feb
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
31 Jan
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Richard Pullen · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Trudy Harrison · Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee; Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Dr Andy Clements, Chair, England Species Reintroduction Taskforce John Holmes · Natural England Tony Juniper · Natural England
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Evan Bowen-Jones · Kent Wildlife Trust Judicaelle Hammond · Country Land and Business Association Professor Alastair Driver · Rewilding Britain Tom Bradshaw · National Farmers' Union (NFU)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Dr Katie Beckmann · The University of Edinburgh Dr Sarah Dalrymple · Liverpool John Moores University Dr Tony Sainbury · Institute of Zoology Professor Richard Brazier · University of Exeter
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Fifth Report - Species Reintroduction HC 849 11 Jul 2023 21 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
2 results
2 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Fifth Report - Species Reintroduct…
Introduce clear interim species abundance targets with biennial reporting, informing committee by December
The Government should introduce clear interim species abundance targets and reporting mechanisms to record progress every two years towards species abundance goals outlined in the Environment Act. It should inform us of those targets by December
Government Response
The government states it published interim species targets in January as required by the Environment Act, but found it difficult to set a specific target to reduce species abundance decline by 2028. It also deemed 2-year reporting impractical, and is reviewing other short-term metrics for measuring progress.
21 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Fifth Report - Species Reintroduct…
Require risk assessments and management plans before granting protected status to species.
If a reintroduced species is to be given protected status (as in the case of beavers), a risk assessment and management plan should be in place in advance of the protected status being granted. The protected status of beavers should … Read more
Government Response
The government states it published management and licensing guidance for beavers ahead of protected status, including a management hierarchy. However, it rejects a review of protected status by the England Species Reintroductions Taskforce, stating it is too soon and the taskforce has no formal role in such decisions.
Government Response AI assessment · 21 of 17 classified

Total 17 recs + 4 conclusions
Correspondence 1 letter
21 Jun 2023 Correspondence from the Minister for Natural Environment and Land Use regarding EFRA Committee Enquiry – Species Reintroductions, dated June 2023
Parliament page