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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-11-30.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Saudi Arabian counterpart on trafficking of Yesidi girls from IS-controlled territories.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

We continue to condemn in the strongest terms the atrocities committed by Daesh against all communities throughout the areas under its control. We are working closely with our international coalition partners to assist and protect civilians wherever we can.

The human rights situation for many living in areas under Daesh control is gravely concerning, including for Yezidi women. We have received reports of the ordeal faced by these women and others abducted by Daesh including rape, sexual abuse, forced marriage, forced conversion and women being sold as slaves. Through the Department for International Development we are funding activities to protect vulnerable civilians including through legal assistance and support groups for women.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-11-30.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what research her Department has recently commissioned on the effects of pesticides on UK ecosystems.

George Eustice

Defra has funded a number of projects over recent years to develop its understanding of the effects of pesticides. This includes work to examine the fate and behaviour of pesticides in the environment, their effects on non-target organisms and measures to reduce adverse effects. A list of all Defra-commissioned Research and Development (R&D) projects is available from the Defra R&D website.

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-11-30.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with her counterparts in EU member states on the effect of proposed EU legislation on firearms on shooting sports in the UK.

Mike Penning

There is an urgent need to step up efforts to stop guns getting into the hands of criminals and extremists. The Government works closely with other EU Member States and the Commission in taking forward this important work.

The Government will shortly submit a full Explanatory Memorandum for Parliamentary scrutiny. Officials are urgently arranging meetings to discuss the implications of the proposals with a range of organisations, including representatives from shooting organisations and law enforcement. We will consider their input carefully to inform forthcoming negotiations.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-11-30.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to protect bird species which are red-listed on the endangered species list.

Rory Stewart

Defra has classified 85 sites as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) in England under the EU Birds Directive to protect rare and vulnerable wild birds and regularly occurring migratory species. The UK is currently undertaking a review of the terrestrial and coastal network of UK SPAs, which will inform the need for any further SPA provision. The UK is also making good progress in identifying a number of SPAs in the marine environment to complete our UK network.These will be in addition to the existing 108 SPAs with marine components currently in place in the UK, providing protection for just over 11,500km² of seabird habitat.

Terrestrial SPAs are underpinned by Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). SSSIs are the country’s very best wildlife and geological sites and many benefit birds. There are over 4,000 SSSIs in England covering around 8% of the country’s land area.Over 95% of our SSSIs are in favourable or recovering condition. Duties on public bodies in relation to wild bird habitat are also relevant, as set out in regulation 9A of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010.

In addition, Natural England is working with partner organisations through its Species Recovery Programme to secure the long term recovery of endangered birds and other species in England. Projects are in place for a range of birds on the red list including the turtle dove, corn bunting, curlew, corncrake, twite, willow tit, hawfinch and ring ouzel.

We are investing more than £3 billion in environmental outcomes as part of the Rural Development Programme for England (2014-2020). Biodiversity is one of the main objectives in our agri-environment schemes, such as the new Countryside Stewardship scheme, to be funded under the Programme. The Wild Pollinator and Farm Wildlife Package options within the new scheme will be of particular benefit for farmland birds in the wider countryside, providing winter feeding, nesting sites and food for chicks through appropriate management of farmland habitats. Our schemes also target specific red-listed species such as the corn bunting, black grouse and turtle dove.

The UK Government is a signatory to the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds, which aims to achieve coordinated conservation and management for migratory waterbirds. The UK, with other Parties, has developed action plans for endangered migratory waterbirds such as the curlew and long tailed duck.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Shannon on 2015-11-30.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the programme to reintroduce the great bustard on Salisbury plain.

Rory Stewart

This project is run by the independent Great Bustard Group. I understand that by the end of 2016 there should be enough evidence available on the survival and dispersal of the birds to know whether the population on Salisbury Plain can successfully rear new birds to join the adult population.