This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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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.