In carrying out its 'special functions' JNCC works in
partnership with the country agencies through several inter-agency
initiatives.
Other conservation concerns of
Biotechnology and
Pesticides and Toxic Substances, are addressed
by
Lead Agencies. On these issues, one of the
country agencies is appointed to take the lead in providing advice
on behalf of all the agencies.
Advice on policy matters of common concern related to
agriculture, woodlands and other rural land uses is provided by the
Land Use Policy Group
(LUPG), which comprises JNCC and the three county
agencies together with the Countryside Agency and the Environment
Agency.
JNCC and the country agencies also collaborate through less
formal
Inter-Agency Working Groups comprising of
agency specialists in birds,
Climate
change, earth science, reptiles and amphibians, invertebrates,
marine habitats, marine mammals, urban habitats and plants. The
Inter-Agency Monitoring Group has a particularly
important role in developing common standards for monitoring on
designated conservation sites across the UK.
Specialist
staff from the three country agencies are appointed as members
of each group, and are jointly responsible for carrying out its
work. Each group also has an 'observer' from the Northern Ireland
Environment Agency (formally Environment and Heritage Service in
Northern Ireland).
