I recognise concerns about the UK’s nature loss, and I support initiatives to create wilder landscapes across England as part of a broader approach to nature recovery. However, I am aware that rewilding is not appropriate in all situations, and it is important to balance this with other priorities, such as food production. I hope that the Government will assess how land‑use change, including the restoration of natural processes, can contribute to net zero, food security and supporting the farming sector.
More broadly, the Environment Act 2021 set legally binding targets to halt species decline by 2030, increase species abundance, and restore large areas of wildlife‑rich habitat. Work is also underway to improve the condition of Marine Protected Areas and increase woodland cover.
Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) are helping to restore nature. The primary purpose of LNRSs is to identify where action for nature recovery and wider environmental improvement would be most effective. I hope that LNRSs will play an important role in reaching climate and environment targets, and the current Government will be held to account on achieving these.