Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Conservation Agencies

Organisation's overall responsibilities and interests in forestry

The country conservation agencies - the Countryside Council for Wales, Natural England and Scottish Natural Heritage - are the British Government's advisors on nature conservation in Wales, England and Scotland respectively. Their work includes:

• Establishing and managing National Nature Reserves and encouraging the establishment of Local Nature Reserves.
• Identifying, notifying and monitoring Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
• Providing general nature conservation advice and information.
• Giving grants.
• Supporting and conducting research.
• Protecting and enhancing the landscape and improving access for public enjoyment of the countryside (SNH and CCW only).

The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) is the forum through which the three country conservation agencies deliver their statutory responsibilities for Great Britain as a whole, and internationally. Its special functions are to:

• Advise ministers on the development of policies for, or affecting, nature conservation in Great Britain and internationally;
• Provide advice and knowledge to anyone on nature conservation issues affecting Great Britain and internationally;
• Establish common standards throughout Great Britain for the monitoring of nature conservation and for research into nature conservation and the analysis of the results;
• Commission or support research which the Committee deems relevant to the special functions.

Together with the Forestry Commission, JNCC and the country agencies are committed to implementing the UK Habitat Action Plans for woodland Priority Habitat types (Lowland Beech and Yew Woodland, Lowland Wood-pasture and Parkland, Upland Mixed Ash Woodland, Upland Oak Woodland, Native Pine Woodlands and Wet Woodland), and to encouraging the expansion of native woodland generally. Our priorities include promoting the conversion of farmland to woodland, reversing the fragmentation of ancient woods and encouraging the management of small woods to enhance their biodiversity.

Current mechanism for consultation and setting of research priorities

The JNCC has identified the following key areas of work, which will guide its research:

• to contribute to implementing and reporting on the United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan and other international Biodiversity Conventions and Agreements;
• to rationalise data collection, management, interpretation and supply so as to make ready access available for country agencies and key partners;
• to support the work to implement the EC Habitats and Birds Directives, and to develop common standards for conservation evaluation, monitoring and information supply.

The identification of research priorities by the country agencies is fully integrated within their individual strategies.

Outline of funding mechanisms

Most of the research carried out by JNCC and the country agencies is contracted out to independent consultants through a tendering process. The annual and projected spend on research and development is submitted each year to the Office of the DETR Chief Scientist.

Contact points for further information

or visit the websites listed above right.