Category Archives: Parliament
Westminster debate: Rio+20 and the future of sustainable development on the International Day of Biodiversity
An All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Development & the Environment (APPG IDE) meeting was held today in Westminster to discuss challenges facing policy-makers ahead of the UN Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June this year. The APPG IDE … Continue reading
Richard Benyon MP gives evidence to Efra Select Committee on the Natural Environment White Paper
In an Efra Select Committee hearing on Wednesday (18th April), Richard Benyon MP Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Environment and Fisheries answered the panel’s queries into the measures outlined in the Government’s Natural Environment White Paper (NEWP), published … Continue reading
Young scientists get chance to grill Ministers at Society of Biology’s ‘Voice of the Future’ Event
As part of National Science and Engineering Week 2012, young scientists were today given the chance to question Ministers and Members of Parliament on the future of science and engineering in the UK at a meeting organised by the Society … Continue reading
BES Parliamentary Shadowing Scheme now open for applications
Applications are now being accepted for the BES Parliamentary Shadowing Scheme. The scheme offers a fantastic opportunity for early-career ecologists to gain an insight into how ecology and the environment are addressed in policy making by spending two days shadowing … Continue reading
Demonstrating the Benefits of Natural Flood Management
More natural means of managing flooding are desirable and should be brought foward by the Government in a new White Paper on water. So commented Anne McIntosh MP, Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Commmittee and … Continue reading
Greening the Common Agricultural Policy
Professor Charles Godfray, immediate past President of the BES, is to give evidence to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee on Wednesday 14th December as part of the Committee’s inquiry into ‘Greening the Common Agricultural Policy‘. Professor Godfray … Continue reading
Engaging with Decision-Makers in Parliament and Government
A busy couple of days for the BES Policy Team; first the launch of the All Party Parliamentary Biodiversity Group (APPBG) yesterday and then today, the British Society of Soil Science’s Annual Conference and launch of a new framework for … Continue reading
EFRA Committee Announce Natural Environment White Paper inquiry
From the EFRA Committee: MPs to examine Government proposals to protect and enhance the natural environment Proposals set out in the Government’s Natural Environment White Paper, The Natural Choice; securing the value of nature, published on 7 June, will be … Continue reading
House of Commons Science and Technology Committee Forest Research Inquiry – Oral Evidence
Today the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee took oral evidence on the Forest Research Inquiry into the effects of the spending review, and research priorities in the forestry research community. The evidence session involved witnesses from a variety … Continue reading
EFRA Committee Scrutinise White Paper
On Wednesday, 29 June, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee held a one-off evidence session to explore initial reaction to the Natural Environment White Paper (‘The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature’). Representatives of the National Farmers’ … Continue reading