To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many members of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee are qualified ecologists; and what plans he has to strengthen the ecological expertise of this committee. [39920]

Of the 13 members of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, nine have qualifications in earth of life sciences. The other four have backgrounds in farming and broadcasting. On 1 September, two new members of the joint committee took up their appointments. Professors Crawley and Heal bring broad ranging expertise on national and international nature conservation issues to the committee.