MIKE HEDGES AM ASKS MINISTER WHAT WELSH GOVERNMENT IS DOING TO PROTECT NATURAL HABITAT IN WALES.

MIKE HEDGES AM ASKS MINISTER WHAT WELSH GOVERNMENT IS DOING TO PROTECT NATURAL HABITAT IN WALES.

Speaking after Question Time at the Senedd, Swansea East AM said.. Concerns RE Climate change and its impact on the Environment have increased in my post bag dramatically over recent years; barely a week goes by without emails regarding various issues within this topic. In recent weeks, people have been particularly concerned by the increase in the use of netting to cover trees and prevent birds nesting within those trees. I think that this is a questionable practice and needs careful monitoring. I am pleased that the Minister will be writing to relevant partners reminding them that its use should be sparingly and only in specific circumstances.

Mike Hedges AM The ecosystem runs in equilibrium, but the loss of predators at the top of the food chain is going to lead to some species expanding, causing further damage to the ecosystem. We’re amidst the largest period of species extinction in the last 60 million years. Habitat destruction, exploitation and climate change are driving the loss of over half the world’s wild animal population. What is the Welsh Government doing to protect the natural habitat of Wales? Especially, what are you doing to stop people taking action that stops birds nesting? I’m not a species champion for any bird.70
Lesley Griffiths AM – Thank you. We have our natural resources policy, and that obviously sets out our priorities to enable us to reverse the decline in biodiversity and achieve more resilient ecosystems. I mentioned in my answer to Joyce Watson that we’re refreshing the nature recovery action plan, because that will then give us the key actions and mechanisms that we will need to take forward to make that real difference.71
Netting is an issue that’s come across my desk quite frequently in the last few weeks, and I think it’s really important that developers understand that that policy is there only to be used very sparingly and very specifically, and I will be writing out to local authorities to remind them of that.