28.This section places a specific duty on the Scottish Ministers to designate a strategy for the conservation of biodiversity, to be known as the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy. The designated Strategy may consist of a number of subsidiary individual strategies, should this be deemed appropriate by the Scottish Ministers.
29.Once designated, the Strategy must be published. The Scottish Ministers must then lay a report on its implementation before the Scottish Parliament every three years. The first report must be made within three years of the date on which the Strategy is formally designated for the first time.
30.In addition, the Scottish Ministers must publish lists of particular species and habitats which they consider to be of principal importance in relation to conservation of biodiversity. The lists are to be published within one year of the formal designation of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and the Scottish Ministers are empowered to review, revise and republish the lists as they consider necessary.