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MPs to debate petition relating to protection of hedgehogs

30 June 2021

On Monday 5 July, MPs will debate a petition relating to the protection of hedgehogs.

The debate will be led by Petitions Committee member Matt Vickers MP, and MPs from all parties can take part. Rebecca Pow, a Minister at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, will respond on behalf of the Government.

Protect the UK's dwindling hedgehog population before it's too late

The petition, which received more than 108,000 signatures, states: “Now the hedgehog has been listed as vulnerable to extinction in the UK, we are calling on the Government to move hedgehogs to schedule 5 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 to allow them greater protection.”

In response to the petition, the Government said: “There are currently no plans to give hedgehogs further legal protection. An evidence-based review of Schedule 5 of the Act is in progress and we will consider any recommendations arising from this.”

What are petitions debates?

Petitions debates are ‘general’ debates which allow MPs from all parties to discuss the important issues raised by one, or more petitions, and put their concerns to Government Ministers.

Further Information

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