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Tynwald briefing on bio-diversity

The importance of signing the Convention on Biological Diversity will be outlined to Tynwald members today.

Department of Agriculture officials will make a presentation about the convention, which is aiming to achieve a significant reduction in the current rate of biodiversity loss by 2010.

Although 191 countries are signed up to the Convention, the Isle of Man has yet to join.

To sign up would mean a commitment to conserve bio-diversity and protect species and their habitats, on land and at sea, as well as to educate the population about the importance of biodiversity.

DAFF has undertaken an evaluation of the status of Manx wild orchids, as an indicator of the current state but, due to development, two important orchid sites have been lost.

The Convention on Biological Diversity is an international treaty adopted in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992.

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