Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to protect ancient woodland in England.

The Government has a manifesto commitment to ensure stronger protection for our ancient woodlands and the irreplaceable nature of ancient woodlands is recognised in our 25 Year Environment Plan. Defra and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government are working together to identify further ways to protect ancient woodlands through the National Planning Policy Framework.