PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Highly Protected Marine Areas (22 June 2020)

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the timeframe is for the implementation of the recommendations of the Benyon Review into Highly Protected Marine Areas; and if he will make a statement.

Asked by:
Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat)

The Government welcomes the publication of the review into Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) on 8 June 2020. It is available at:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/highly-protected-marine-areas-hpmas-review-2019.

We will consider Richard Benyon’s report and issue a formal response to him in due course, recognising our immediate priority to support the cross-Government response to Covid-19. From there on, we have an opportunity to develop a programme of work to bring forward HPMAs for the first time in English waters. We would, of course, consult widely with the public and stakeholders before any decision to designate HPMAs.

Answered by:
Victoria Prentis (Conservative)
30 June 2020