Dear Constituent,
Thank you for contacting me regarding hen harriers and other birds of prey.
The Government has set out its commitment to securing the long-term future of the hen harrier in the following Written Answer:
‘The Government is committed to securing the long-term future of the hen harrier as a breeding bird in England. The Hen Harrier Action Plan sets out what will be done to increase hen harrier populations in England and includes measures to stop illegal persecution. The long-term plan was published in January 2016 and we believe that it remains the best way to safeguard the hen harrier in England. A copy of the plan is available at:
www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/49181…http://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/fil….
We are working in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders, including Natural England, moorland communities, conservation organisations, police and landowners, to implement the joint Hen Harrier Action Plan to improve the conservation status of the species.
This year Natural England has recorded the best year for hen harrier breeding in England since Natural England’s hen harrier recovery project was established in 2002. In England in 2020 there were 24 hen harrier nesting attempts recorded. Nineteen of these were successful and 60 chicks have fledged.’
(Hen Harriers: Conservation, WPQ 83982; Rebecca Pow MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Defra; 9 September 2020)
I hope this is helpful and thank you for taking the time to contact me.
Yours sincerely,
Mel Stride MP
MP for Central Devon