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

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to deliver on the ambitions of the International Fungal Conservation Pledge through domestic policies; and what assessment they have made of the merits of action to better protect fungi.

The UK Government co-launched the pledge with the Chilean Government and remains committed to promoting action that recognises the vital role fungi plays in the ecosystem. Domestically, Natural England are leading a consortium of experts (including Natural Resources Wales, NatureScot, RBG Kew, Aberystwyth University, the British Mycological Society) to develop the first Great Britain Red List of non-lichenised fungi in 15 years, identifying species most at risk and requiring protection. In August, Natural England published the Threatened Species Recovery Actions (TSRA) which includes measures for 155 fungi and lichen species, alongside work on reintroductions and improving data access. UK government also supports the new Network for Fungal Conservation, which brings together agencies, NGOs and experts to embed fungi in nature recovery plans. The UK is also playing a leading role in research that will enhance our understanding of the evolution of fungi and the role they play in ecosystems, including through work at RBG Kew, where Defra funding is supporting the DNA sequencing of the world's largest fungarium (collection of fungi). Internationally, we are leading a proposal to ensure fungi are better recognised within the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) at this year’s Conference of the Parties (CoP20) and continue to engage with experts through the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).