Defra publishes an annual indicator on butterfly abundance, using data collected by volunteers. Large fluctuations are typical of butterfly populations but in England the indicator shows that butterfly numbers have generally fallen since 1990, although with numbers of some common species stabilising over the last five years.<\/p>
In England, we will take forward our manifesto commitment to produce a 25 year strategy for the environment, which will include biodiversity. <\/em>Our approach will be designed to meet the habitat needs of many species including butterflies. In England\u2019s National Pollinator Strategy we are aiming to expand flower rich habitats across different types of land to benefit pollinators including butterflies.<\/p> The England network of protected areas provides benefits for many species even when those areas are not specifically designated for the conservation of those particular species. This network includes local and national sites protected under domestic legislation and international sites protected under European and International law. Some of these sites are specifically designated for species of particular importance, including the marsh fritillary butterfly, which is a notified feature of a number of Special Areas of Conservation, designated under the Habitats Directive.<\/p> Agri-environment schemes play a major role in the conservation of butterflies in England. For instance, across grassland habitats in Dorset, between 1990 and 2010 the marsh fritillary increased in abundance by around 278% on land managed under these schemes.<\/p> In the summer of 2014 the critically endangered high brown fritillary experienced its best season since 2004 with numbers increasing by more than 180% as compared to 2013 across Dartmoor, Exmoor, and Morecambe Bay in Lancashire and sites in the Lake District.<\/p> The Wild Pollinator and Farm Wildlife Package in the new Countryside Stewardship scheme contain options to improve habitats and provide nectar sources for butterflies. It will play a key role in supporting the National Pollinator Strategy.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4161", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble"}
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, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2016-01-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2016-01-04T12:21:59.49Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-12-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Butterflies"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what assessment they have made of the reported decline in the population of resident and regular migrant butterflies in the UK, and whether they are taking any action to prevent further decline.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/259", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian"}
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, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "The Marquess of Lothian"}
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, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/178240", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/178240/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains challenging, and at times dangerous, for civilians.<\/p> On 30 January the Government of the DRC announced that military action had begun against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), but it is our assessment that comprehensive operations are yet to fully commence. Officials at our Embassy in Kinshasa have reiterated to the Government of the DRC that international expectations remain high: the threat posed by the FDLR to civilians and to the security and stability of the region must be tackled.<\/p> The Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and the UN Organization Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) must ensure that efforts to minimise the impact on civilians remain forefront in planning for military operations against armed groups. We are also working closely with the humanitarian community and MONUSCO to minimise the risk to civilians during forthcoming operations. This includes liaising with and providing financial support for organisations working to develop and finalise contingency plans to manage any potential humanitarian impact.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3474", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Anelay of St Johns"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-02-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "HL4705"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-02-11T14:59:17.527Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2015-02-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Democratic Republic of Congo"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what representations they have made to the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo with regard to the planned closures of the camps for internally displaced persons in the eastern province of North-Kivu, in particular in the light of the recent launch of military operations against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda rebel group.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4168", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale"}
], "uin" : "HL4706"}
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