This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Scottish Biodiversity Strategy needed
26/02/2002
The Executive intends to develop a Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, it was announced today.
At Scotland's inaugural Biodiversity Forum, Deputy Environment Minister Allan Wilson launched a far-reaching report covering the work of the Scottish Biodiversity Group over the last five years.
Speaking at the two-day conference, attended by key people from the environment and biodiversity sectors, the Minister said:
"This conference is an important occasion for the future of biodiversity in Scotland. It is another step on the road to making biodiversity part of all our thinking.
"The report, which we have published today, is comprehensive in its content and ambitious in its outlook. It indicates how Scotland can conserve its irreplaceable biodiversity resources and answer the international call for nature conservation and sustainable development.
"Local Authorities are working hard, developing their own Local Biodiversity Action Plans. My call for an over-arching Scottish Biodiversity Strategy would place biodiversity firmly at the heart of policy-making and allow us to preserve and nurture all of Scotland's wild heritage. I have asked the Scottish Biodiversity Forum to take on the task of producing such a document."
'Biodiversity' is a description used in the context of the need to ensure the survival of all species and habitats, and for this to be part of human planning and development.
Biodiversity in Scotland, a progress reportsummarises Scotland's progress in terms of meeting international obligations on biodiversity. It reviews and analyses the development and practice of biodiversity policies in Scotland from the inception of the Scottish Biodiversity Group in 1996 to July 2001. The report reviews and analyses the development and practice of biodiversity policies in Scotland from the inception of the Scottish Biodiversity Group (SBG) in 1996 to the current date, 2001.
The SBG was formed in 1996 so that the objectives of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKAB) could be translated into action into Scotland. The SBG is responsible to Scottish Ministers for biodiversity work in Scotland to meet UK and international obligations, and its aims are supported by the Ministerial Group on Sustainable Scotland.
At ground level Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs), which take account of local and national priorities are being produced across Scotland. Some of these are as much processes as plans, evaluating regional biodiversity, involving local people and organisations, raising awareness, identifying priorities, writing action plans, taking action and measuring progress.