Government response

National Nature Reserves: myths busted

Ministers have decided that the National Nature Reserves will remain in public ownership.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 6 February 2011

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The Myth: The Sunday Times claims that the Government have taken a u turn on the sale of National Nature Reserves.

The Truth: This is not a u turn. There is no Consultation Paper on the ownership of the National Nature Reserves, and there will not be.

Officials and Natural England have been scoping a range of options as you would expect - but Ministers have decided that the National Nature Reserves will remain in public ownership.

We look forward to continuing to work closely with our NGOs, to tap into their expertise to make sure our National Nature Reserves are looked after in the best possible way.

Published 6 February 2011