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LRCs and the draft Environmental Information Regulations Code of Practice
Page updated 14th Dec 2004
The NFBR was very concerned that both it, and many other organisations involved in
biological recording in the UK, had not been directly contacted by DEFRA as part of the consultation process. Responses were hurriedly collated in time for the deadline of 4th Nov 2004, and we asked that each LRC also send in
their own response direct to Defra.
Here is an outline of some of the main issues and problems that the NBN Trust have identified as relevant to LRCs. A separate summary of issues and concerns was also circulated on the NFBR LRC egoup on 28/10/04.
Here is an account of a meeting held on Dec 8th 2004 between DEFRA and the NBN Trust and Bill Butcher of the NFBR to discuss the concerns of the biological recording community.
The consultation document (consultation.pdf) can be downloaded as one of many PDFs at this address www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/envinfo/index.htm Follow the links at the top of that page to go to the guidance documents, some of which have been newly uploaded.
Update (14 Dec 2004):
As a result of significant concerns expressed by Council and members of NFBR, and by Sir John Burnett representing
the views of the NBN Trust, DEFRA held a meeting on Dec 8th to consider the views of the recording community. This is an important achievement, reflecting an unfortunate oversight by DEFRA in considering the work of the
biological recording sector. Notes of this meeting can be found here
Note that DEFRA have informally stated to NFBR that the Environmental Information Regulations are not in any way designed to restrict the activities
of LRCs, or to force staff to release sensitive records, or to hand over large quantities of records to anyone who requests it. They say that the decision whether or not to release data will still rest with the local LRC staff,
or equivalent. Nevertheless, the Regulations and
Code of Practice do indicate a contrary position, and NFBR welcomes steps to resolve the situation. Despite the consultation deadline passing, DEFRA welcomes comments on the Regulations.
If you are aware of any concerns being expressed by owners of data to withold records from LRCs until the current concerns over the legislation are
resolved, do please forward this immediately to Bill Butcher, NFBR. (*See Committee page for mailing address.)
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