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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps she has taken to protect native tree species.

Defra is acting to protect native tree species from a range of threats. Current examples include:

• it is an offence to fell trees without a licence if an exemption does not apply;

• the particular value and irreplaceable nature of ancient woodlands and veteran trees is recognised in the National Planning Policy Framework;

• we use the UK Plant Health Risk Register to identify, assess and tackle tree pests and diseases at source (pre-border), at the border and inland, including several that threaten native trees;

• investing more than £37million into tree health research between 2012 and 2019;

• support for some landowners on specific tree diseases and measures to support squirrel control through the Countryside Stewardship Scheme;

• working with the Squirrel Accord to deliver the December 2014 grey squirrel action plan for England;

• funding the Deer Initiative to reduce the negative impact of deer in priority woodlands and support; and

• Forestry Commission advice on how native woodlands can be adapted to be more resilient to the effects of climate change.