20 June 2006
CAIRNS COMMITS TO HALTING BIODIVERSITY LOSS
Environment Minister, David Cairns, said the loss of the land's biodiversity must be halted, to prevent a diminution of all our lives.
Speaking by video link to the Waterfront Hall at the opening of the fourth annual UK Biodiversity Partnership Conference, the Minister said: "Biodiversity is about the variety of animals, plants and natural processes which make up our ecosystem and which, ultimately, provide life for us all. We must learn to respect it, because if we don't, we will all lose. Halting biodiversity loss is therefore one of the most important challenges we face today."
He said that much could be achieved through partnerships with the voluntary sector and others in the private and public sectors and welcomed recent developments within the European Commission which marked a renewed focus on nature conservation.
He added: "Last month the European Commission announced an intention to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010. This involves tangible action with measures to monitor progress and a timetable for evaluation. Achievement of this timetable is possible, but only if we win real commitment from everyone. Biodiversity is not just some EU imposed directive which somebody else deals with. It is something all of us must take responsibility for, and it is for all of us to play our parts. If we don't, future generations will not judge us kindly."
The conference, which spans two days, draws together the biodiversity community from across the UK to look at how to work together to solve the barriers that lie ahead in achieving the 2010 target to halt biodiversity loss.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The UK Biodiversity Partnership brings together all partners (government and non-government representatives, businesses and private individuals) involved in, or with an interest in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and biodiversity policy. The Partnership meets annually at a conference and its work is supported by a Standing Committee which includes representatives of biodiversity groups in each of the 4 UK countries, conservation agencies from each country and conservation NGOs.
2. Following devolution, country groups have been established in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to take forward biodiversity work at the country level.
3. The Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy (NIBS) is a Government Strategy; the product of a report to Government by the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Group (NIBG), an independent group made up of representatives from key sectors: local government, the business and farming communities, the voluntary sector and central government. The NIBG recommendations were accepted by the Executive in August 2002.
4. On 22nd May 2006 the European Commission adopted a Communication, which sets out an ambitious policy approach to halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010. In particular, it provides an EU Action Plan which proposed concrete measures and outlines the responsibilities of EU institutions and Member States, respectively. It also specifies indicators to monitor progress, and a timetable for evaluations. It spells out what needs to be done to halt biodiversity loss in the EU and to meet the international commitments to reduce biodiversity loss worldwide. It also creates an advisory mechanism to help decision-makers make better use of existing knowledge.
5. For further News Media information contact DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003
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