Phytophthora is a genus of plant-damaging water moulds that are responsible for a number of notorious plant diseases, such as potato blight. Three species, named ramorum, kernoviae and pseudosyringae have recently been identified in the UK affecting heathland plants. They are believed to be non-native, and may have been introduced via international horticultural trade. Further information on Phytophthora>>>
JNCC has collated information on species status and designations, and you can download the list as a spreadsheet.
JNCC have just published The Butterfly Red List for Great Britain (2010) as part of the Species Status Assessment project. This assessment, by Fox, Warren and Brereton, assesses all 62 resident and regularly breeding butterflies against the new IUCN criteria (IUCN 2001), and replaces earlier assessments published in 1987 and 1997. The report is both important and timely, illustrating the serious extinction risk facing butterflies in Great Britain.
Every five years, the statutory nature conservation agencies (Natural England, Countryside Council for Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage), working jointly through the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), are required to review Schedules 5 and 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and to make recommendations to the Secretary of State and Ministers for the Environment. Schedule 5 lists animals (other than birds) which are specially protected, and Schedule 8 lists plants which are specially protected.
Link: The Fifth Quinquennial Review of Schedules 5 and 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981
Position statement on avian influenza issued by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee on behalf of English Nature (now known as Natural England), Countryside Council for Wales, Scottish Natural Heritage and Environment and Heritage Service Northern Ireland.
Further information on avian influenza and advice to birdwatchers.