{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?hansardHeading=Flowers%3A+Conservation", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?hansardHeading=Flowers%3A+Conservation", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_metadata=all&hansardHeading=Flowers%3A+Conservation", "first" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&hansardHeading=Flowers%3A+Conservation", "hasPart" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?hansardHeading=Flowers%3A+Conservation", "isPartOf" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?hansardHeading=Flowers%3A+Conservation", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1656117", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1656117/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>Defra provides grant in aid funding which supports RBG Kew in delivering its statutory responsibilities under the National Heritage Act. These responsibilities include to \u2018care for their collections of plants, preserved plant material, other objects relating to plants, books and records\u2019 and to \u2018carry out investigation and research into the science of plants and related subjects, and disseminate the results of the investigation and research\u2019<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Kew\u2019s living collection houses many rare species, some of which are extinct in the wild. Approximately 90 plants and 24 fungi were newly named in 2022 by Kew and partners alone, of which many are extremely rare species threatened with extinction.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency provide funding to Kew to support their work, as the UK CITES Scientific Authority for plants, in assessing and advising on the sustainability of international trade in over 30,000 plant species listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Kew are working to identify and map Tropical Important Plant Areas in critical sites for plant conservation across the tropics. This project\u2019s work in the UK\u2019s overseas territories is part funded by the Darwin Plus scheme.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4593", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Trudy Harrison"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Copeland"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Trudy Harrison"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-09-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-09-11T13:42:31.523Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-09-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Flowers: Conservation"}
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      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department is taking steps to help support Royal Botanic Gardens to protect rare flowers at risk of being endangered.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4410", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Julian Knight"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Solihull"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Julian Knight"}
      ], "uin" : "196148"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1610322", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1610322/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>In England we have set four legally binding targets for biodiversity including to halt the decline in species abundance by 2030 then reverse declines by 2042 and restore or create more than 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat, such as wildflower meadows, also by 2042.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>We have set out our plan to deliver on these ambitious targets, along with our other environmental targets, in the revised Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP23) published 31 January 2023. Here we link the different objectives, plans and mechanisms for recovering nature.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Our agri-environment schemes provide incentives for creation and management of wildlife-rich habitat. Since 2011, over 130,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat, including wildflower meadows, have been created. Our new Environmental Land Management schemes will reward farmers and land managers for delivering environmental outcomes such as conserving and restoring such habitats.<\/p><p>Furthermore, our Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) provide protection for many species-rich grasslands. Additional sites are included in Natural England\u2019s designation programme published on GOV.UK. The EIP23 confirms our commitment to delivering the 25 Year Environment Plan goal to restore 75% of our SSSIs to favourable condition by 2042. It also sets two interim targets on protected sites which support the delivery of that 2042 goal and contribute to the achievement of statutory species targets.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>We are supporting grassland creation and restoration, including through our Green Recovery Challenge Fund. For example, Plantlife\u2019s \u2018Meadow Makers\u2019 project, which was awarded over £700,000 in the first round, has restored 500 hectares of species-rich grassland at over 100 sites across seven landscapes.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4593", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Trudy Harrison"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Copeland"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Trudy Harrison"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-04-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-04-19T11:32:17.3Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
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      , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-04-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Flowers: Conservation"}
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      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department is taking steps to help tackle the depletion of wildflowers.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1447", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Rosindell"}
      }
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      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Andrew Rosindell"}
      ], "uin" : "180455"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138805", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138805/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>We are taking action to encourage wildflower meadows by managing designated sites, providing incentives for habitat management and creation, and forging strong partnerships with landowners, communities and conservation bodies.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Our agri-environment schemes provide incentives for creation and management of wildlife-rich habitat, including meadows. Since 2011, we have initiated creation of over 130,000 hectares of wildlife rich habitat, including wildflower meadows. Our new Environmental Land Management scheme will reward farmers and land managers for delivering environmental outcomes such as conserving and restoring such habitats.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Our Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) provide protection for approximately two thirds of the total extent of 110,000 ha of semi-natural grassland Priority Habitat in England. Natural England\u2019s 2018-19 SSSI designation programme identifies a further 12 sites containing important wildflower-rich grasslands. The 25 Year Environment Plan commits us to restoring 75% of SSSI areas to good condition.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>We work with partners to support the recovery of threatened species and their habitats. For example, Natural England are working with landowners and conservation organisations on the Back from the Brink programme including on the \u2018Limestone\u2019s Living Legacies\u2019 project, restoring a network of limestone grassland sites in the West Midlands.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4098", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Suffolk Coastal"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Thérèse Coffey"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-18T14:37:58.33Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
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      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Flowers: Conservation"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to encourage wildflower meadows throughout the country.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4064", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Steve Baker"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wycombe"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Steve Baker"}
      ], "uin" : "277176"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138806", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1138806/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>Wildflowers provide pollen and nectar resources essential for sustaining wild and honey bees. Wildflower meadows therefore provide vital habitats for bee populations.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Published scientific research has established that range contractions in many of our bee species are linked to the loss of species-rich habitats such as wildflower meadows. It also found that bee populations are more diverse on farms where wildflowers are sown or in landscapes with greater densities of wildflower meadows and other species-rich habitats.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>We also know that when we put wildflowers back, bees respond. Landscape-scale studies of wild bumblebee populations in farmed landscapes, led by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and part-funded by Defra, revealed that providing flower-rich habitat enhances the long-term survival of bumblebee families.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>Through our programme of agri-environment monitoring, we are currently evaluating how sowing wildflowers on farms is supporting bee populations.<\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4098", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Suffolk Coastal"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Thérèse Coffey"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-18T16:38:58.607Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
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      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Flowers: Conservation"}
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      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the contribution of wildflower meadows to the success of the various bee populations in the UK.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4064", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Steve Baker"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wycombe"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Steve Baker"}
      ], "uin" : "277177"}
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