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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to protect the habitats of bees and butterflies.

The Government is committed to the goal of being the first generation to leave the natural environment of England in a better state than that in which we found it. We are developing a 25 year environment plan to deliver this.

In England we have an extensive network of protected wildlife areas providing benefits for many species. It includes sites specifically designated for species of particular importance, including the marsh fritillary butterfly designated under the Habitats Directive.

Our agri-environment schemes also play a major role in the conservation of pollinators. The Wild Pollinator and Farm Wildlife Package in the Countryside Stewardship scheme offers options to improve habitats and provide nectar sources for butterflies and bees, thereby supporting the National Pollinator Strategy.