I have been contacted by constituents regarding Hedgehogs.
As the Member of Parliament for Milton Keynes South, I have included below my response:
The hedgehog is an extraordinary creature with a long and celebrated history in this country. I am encouraged that these creatures are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 from being killed using methods such as crossbows, traps and snares.
The Environment Bill contains measures that will help improve the status of threatened species. This includes a requirement to set at least one long-term, legally binding target in relation to biodiversity, as well as strengthening the duty of public authorities to take action to conserve and enhance biodiversity. Ministers are also acting, through the Bill, to protect and create the habitat that our native species, including hedgehogs, need to thrive. The Government has amended the Bill to require a new legally binding target on species abundance for 2030 with the aim of halting the decline of nature in England.
Also, I support the measured approach to environmental reform that the Secretary of State will take. Ministers will consult with the new Office for Environmental Protection, and work with conservation groups on any proposals they develop before any regulatory changes are made. Shortly, a Green Paper will be brought forward setting out plans to deliver a regulatory framework that is fit for purpose, including the objective of protecting 30 per cent of terrestrial land by 2030.
Furthermore, the Government continues to work on determining the specific actions that will reward farmers and land managers under the new environmental land management schemes. These schemes, including the Sustainable Farming Incentive, will help to create and preserve woodlands, heathlands, species-rich grassland and a range of habitats that will benefit hedgehogs.
