Biodiversity

This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on biodiversity. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs. For material on genetic modification see agriculture.

Standard Notes

Date	Description
06.06.2013	Septic tanks: new regulations
	Septic tanks within groundwater source protection zone 1 had to be registered or have an environmental permit by 2012. All other septic tanks may have to be registered depending on the outcome of the consultation by DEFRA due to be announced in 2013.
05.06.2013	Bees and Neonicotinoids
	The European Commission is going ahead with proposals to restrict the use of three common neonicotinoids from December 2013 because of their impacts on bees. The UK Government does not support these plans, arguing that the scientific case has not yet been made and the impacts of such restrictions have not been fully assessed. However, the European Food Safety Agency has recently criticised UK field trials used to support the Government's position. This note outlines the policy developments in the context of the scientific evidence and stakeholder comment. It touches on bee health and the overall role of pollinators in the ecosystem and agriculture.
15.03.2013	Marine Conservation Zones
	This note describes the designation of Marine Conservation Zones in England, which were introduced under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. The Government has proposed to designate 31 MCZ in 2013; additional MCZ may be designated in following years. A public consultation on the proposals closes on 31 March 2013.
08.11.2012	The Forestry Commission and the sale of public forests in England
	This note sets out information on the sale of public forests managed by the Forestry Commission
20.04.2012	The Chagos Islanders
	This note provides brief background about the situation of the Chagos Islanders, paying particular attention to the legal dispute over whether they have the right of return and the recent establishment of a Marine Protection Area around the British Indian Ocean Territory (with the exception of Diego Garcia). The note is not comprehensive in its coverage and will not be automatically updated.

Research Papers

Date	Description
24.10.2001	Marine Wildlife Conservation Bill (Bill 8 of 2001-02)
	Marine Wildlife Conservation Bill (Bill 8 of 2001/02). House of Commons Library Research Paper 01/76.
24.06.1998	Agriculture and the Environment
	Agriculture and the Environment. House of Commons Library Research Paper 98/70.

Select Committee Reports

Date	Description
10.02.2009	Halting biodiversity loss.
	Government response. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Environmental Audit Select Committee report [Commons]

Early Day Motions

Date	Description
15.03.2011	NATURAL ENVIRONMENT WHITE PAPER
	That this House looks forward to the forthcoming publication of a Natural Environment White Paper; notes that this is the first White Paper of its kind in 20 years; recognises that ...
25.05.2010	ENDANGERED BRITISH MAMMALS
	That this House is dismayed that 18 species of Britain's mammals, almost a third of the total, are now listed as endangered; congratulates the People's Trust for Endangered Species ...
02.03.2010	NATIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING WEEK
	That this House welcomes and supports National Science and Engineering Week, 12 to 21 March 2010 and the What on Earth nature-spotting project to highlight biodiversity in the UK; calls ...
23.02.2009	DEFORESTATION, CLIMATE CHANGE AND LIVESTOCK
	That this House notes that global livestock and animal feed production contributes to 18 per cent. of global greenhouse gas emissions and is currently the most significant driver of ...
13.01.2009	ENDANGERED BRITISH MAMMALS
	That this House is dismayed that 18 species of Britain's mammals, almost a third of the total, are now listed as endangered; congratulates The People's Trust for Endangered Species ...

POST Papers

Date	Description
23.07.2013	Invasive Alien Plant Species
	Some alien plant species can become invasive and have detrimental ecological, social and economic effects. This POSTnote summarises debate over the risks posed by such plant species and the policy frameworks and measures for addressing these risks.
06.06.2013	Selection of Marine Conservation Zones
	Marine Conservation Zones may contribute to the protection and recovery of the marine environment. This POSTnote examines the process and approach used to select and designate zones, and difficulties in identifying and managing suitable areas.
06.06.2013	Environmental Impact of Tidal Barrages
	A tidal energy barrage across the Severn Estuary could produce up to 5% of the UK's electricity demand. It would help meet renewable energy targets but would have significant environmental impacts. This POSTnote summarises evidence on environmental impacts associated with the operation of tidal energy barrages and the effectiveness of compensatory measures.
05.02.2013	Biodiversity & Planning Decisions
	Built developments and mineral extraction can bring social benefits. However, if developments decrease biodiversity there could be a net loss of human well-being. Planning policy is devolved and this POSTnote sets out how the information on impacts of proposed developments on biodiversity is given to planners in England. It also summarises approaches to enhance biodiversity and avoid, mitigate and compensate for negative impacts.
18.01.2013	Biodiversity in UK Overseas Territories
	The UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) support a diverse variety of habitats ranging from ice fields and rocky islands to coral reef atolls and tropical forests. This POSTnote summarises the challenges to conservation management and halting biodiversity loss in UKOTs, as required under international agreements.
05.09.2012	Balancing Nature and Agriculture
	This POSTnote explores two approaches to managing land for balancing nature conservation with sustainable food production. Land sharing integrates the objectives of agriculture and benefits to wildlife on the same land. Land sparing on the other hand separates intensive farming areas from protected natural habitats at larger scales.