Contacts

The Directorate sponsors the following Non-Departmental Public Bodies:

• English Nature
• Joint Nature Conservation Committee

Sponsorship Landscape & Recreation

Sponsorship, Landscape & Recreation Division (SLR) is based at Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6EB. For queries on specific topics, please see the contact details and email addresses below.

Landscape protection

• we promote landscape conservation and enhancement, including policy for England’s protected landscape areas the National Parks, the Broads and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs); developing improved arrangements for the future management and funding of AONBs; and possible new arrangements for the South Downs and the Forest of Dean
• we co-ordinate and progress UK action on the European Landscape Convention.

Email: nationalparks.aonbs@defra.gov.uk
AONB queries: 0117 372 6288
National Parks queries: 0117 372 8414
New National Parks queries: 18002 0117 372 8234 (via typetalk)
Fax: 0117 372 8250

Access to open countryside

• we are responsible for implementing the new right of access to open country and registered common land
• we advise on and takes forward policy
• we prepare secondary legislation (Regulations) under part 1 of the Act
• we develop guidance on dedication of land for access

Email: access@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Tel: 0117 372 8204
Fax: 0117 372 8587

Common land

• we provide policy advice on existing common land and village greens legislation;
• we decide applications to undertake certain works or to exchange land on commons and village greens;
• we provide administrative support to the Commons Commissioners.

NB. Information is available elsewhere on this site on the development of the new legislation on commons and greens

Email: commons.villagegreens@defra.gsi.gov.uk
commons.commissioners@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Common land and village green queries: 0117 372 8879
Fax: 0117 372 8250

Countryside recreation

• we promote outdoor recreation in the countryside including access to inland waters;
• we are engaged with Government's public health agenda by representing Defra on the interdepartmental Activity Coordination Team which is developing a national delivery plan to encourage more people to participate in sport and active recreation;
• we administer camping and touring Caravan Exemption Certificates and Camping Exemption Certificates;
• we administer Commons, Country Park and National Park byelaws
• we promote informal recreation

Email: country.recreation@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Tel: 0117 372 8003
Fax: 0117 372 6215

Rights of way

• we develop, implement and advise on rights of way policy
• we are taking forward implementation of the rights of way provisions in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000; implementation of Part II of the Act; projected timetable in England for main provisions of the Act
• we are responsible for: National Trails policy; rights of way funding issues and performance indicators-including Best Value; and oversight of the Discovering Lost Ways project
• we are the focal point for issues relating to: access and mobility issues; access for equestrians and recreational use of motor vehicles on rights of way.

Email: rights.ofway@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Tel: 0117 372 6274
Fax: 0117 372 8587

English Nature & JNCC Sponsorship Team

The objective of the team is to provide effective sponsorship to English Nature (EN), and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC).

• The team is actively involved in analysing and commenting on the EN and JNCC Corporate Plans and annual reports, ensuring that they set out effectively their aims and performance measures for delivering the Government's commitments on wildlife and habitats. It also contributes to, and monitors the main estimates (allocations) round, monitoring English Nature's accounts, and processing and monitoring grant-in-aid and Nature Conservancy Council Pensions claims.
• The team has lead responsibility for the Secretary of State's appointment of the 14 members of the Council of English Nature. Further details about English Nature, including the current Council Membership can be found on the English Nature website.
• In consultation with the devolved administrations, the branch is also responsible for the Secretary of State's appointment of the three independent members of JNCC. Further information about JNCC, including details about the Committee's can be found on the JNCC website.
• In addition the team also administers a grant under the European Action Fund (EAF) of £225,000 to the Royal Society for Wildlife Trusts (RSWT).

General telephone enquiries: 0117 372 8571
Fax: 0117 372 8642
Email: englishnature.sponsors@defra.gsi.gov.uk

European wildlife

European Wildlife Division (EWD) is based in Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6EB. For queries on specific topics, please see the contact details and email addresses below.

Natura 2000

• we are responsible for co-ordinating full and effective implementation in the UK of Natura 2000 (the EU network of wildlife conservation areas deriving from the Birds and Habitats Directives) with particular responsibility for delivering implementation in England.

General telephone enquiries: 0117 372 6153
Fax: 0117 372 8508
General email enquiries: natura.2000@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Habitat conservation and RAMSAR

• we are responsible for administering and developing policy for habitat conservation, especially associated with the network of SSSIs and National Nature Reserves (NNRs) and the provisions of the RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.

General telephone enquiries: 0117 372 8767
Fax: 0117 372 8119
General email enquiries: ramsar@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Species conservation and marine

• we are responsible for implementing the wildlife protection provisions of relevant European Union Directives, plus other relevant international agreements and conventions, by means of domestic legislation for the protection of species. It is also responsible for marine species conservation.

General telephone enquiries: 0117 372 8903
Fax: 0117 372 8182
General email enquiries: species@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Natural Resource and Rural Affairs Science Unit B - landscape and biodiversity

• we are responsible for providing scientific advice to the Wildlife and Countryside Directorate on all aspects of policy development, ensuring that procedures anticipate as early as possible those issues which scientific advice or research will be needed.

General telephone enquiries: 0117 372 8452
Fax number: 0117 372 8182

General email enquiries on species: zanete.andersone-lilley@.defra.gsi.gov.uk

General email enquiries on landscape and habitats:helen.pontier@defra.gsi.gov.uk

General enquiries on Avian influenza (HPAI) www.defra.gov.uk.animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/index.htm

Biodiversity policy

• we are responsible for co-ordinating implementation of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, especially in England, and to progress the Government's European Biodiversity commitments.

General telephone enquiries: 0117 372 8974
Fax: 0117 372 8508
General email enquiries: biodiversity.defra@gtnet.gov.uk

Wildlife management

• we are responsible for policy advice on vertebrate pest control; welfare and conservation of deer, seals and badgers in England; game licensing in Great Britain.

General telephone enquiries: 0117 372 8746
Fax: 0117 372 8182
General email enquiries: nick.xylas@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Global Wildlife Division

Global Wildlife Division (GWD) is based in Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6EB. For queries on specific topics, please see the contact details and email addresses below.

CITES policy

• we develop policies for the global conservation and sustainable, humane use of wild animals and plants, particularly through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the EU CITES Regulations;
  

Telephone enquiries about CITES permits: 0117 372 8749
Fax: 0117 372 8206
Email enquiries: wildlife.licensing@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Telephone enquiries about CITES licensing policy: 0117 372 6280/8583

Telephone enquiries about general CITES policy: 0117 372 8503
Email enquiries: cites.ukma@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Wildlife Crime and Inspectorate Unit

• develops policy on wildlife crime, delivers an effective service for the enforcement of the wildlife crime laws; is secretariat to the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) and manages the panel of part time Wildlife Inspectors

General telephone enquiries: 0117 372 8551
Fax number: 0117 372 8393
Wildlife Inspectorate enquiries: wildlife.inspectorate@defra.gsi.gov.uk
PAW Secretariat enquiries: paw.secretariat@defra.gsi.gov.uk
General email enquiries: wildlife.enforce@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Wildlife licensing, enforcement and information systems

• we provide
  • a UK wildlife licensing service on trade in endangered (CITES) species
  • a bird registration service for England, Scotland and Wales

General telephone enquiries: 0117 372 8749
Fax: 0117 372 8206
General email enquiries: wildlife.licensing@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Zoos and international species conservation

• we develop policies for the regulation of zoos and dangerous wild animals through national legislation and the EU Zoos Directive 1999; and by sponsoring the Zoos Forum. Further contact information is available.

General telephone enquiries: 0117 372 8209
Fax: 0117 372 8373
General email enquiries: zoos.branch@defra.gsi.gov.uk

• we develop UK policy in respect of the (Bonn) Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals , acts as focal point for the UK membership of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and UNEP-WCMC.

Further contact information for zoos and international species conservation

General telephone enquiries: 0117 372 6290
Fax: 0117 372 8317
General email enquiries: jean.smyth@defra.gsi.gov.uk