Today is the International Day for Biodiversity and this year it has even greater significance, with the coronavirus pandemic having encouraged us to spend more time outdoors in our local green spaces and to appreciate our wildlife.
I am a great supporter of the groundbreaking Environment Bill which includes a suite of ambitious, legally-binding targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. As a member of the Public Bill Committee on the Environment Bill, I regularly met with experts to scrutinise the bill.
The Committee was suspended in light of the current circumstances, however I look forward to its return so that I can ensure that the United Kingdom continues to enjoy high environmental standards and champions biodiversity.
This picture was taken at a visit to Heartwood Forest built by The Woodland Trust - a very good example of the new forests that will be strengthened by measures in this Bill.