The Island will benefit from working with British-Irish Council member administrations to safeguard valuable natural resources.

That is the message from Richard Ronan MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, who accompanied Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK to the 25th BIC Summit in London on Friday.

The BIC’s environment work sector presented a collaborative paper on natural capital and resources.

It explored the challenge of protecting natural capital, with a focus on pollinators, and discussed the value of a strategic and collaborative approach.

The Council agreed that member administrations would work together to further their understanding of natural capital and the benefits it provides.

In a speech to the Summit, Minister Ronan said: ‘The environment work stream is very close to our hearts.

‘We are forming an ever improving understanding of the importance of our natural resources to our health, well-being and economy.

‘We are introducing strategies that will ensure that we manage our habitats and the services they provide in a sustainable way.’

The Minister said the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture recently won support from Tynwald for its biodiversity strategy ‘Managing our Natural Wealth’. It has submitted a bid to UNESCO to secure Biosphere status for the Island.

It works with neighbouring jurisdictions to ensure the sustainability of Irish Sea fish stocks. It has also introduced a strategy that will drastically reduce CO2 outputs.

As an important stopping off point for migratory birds, the Isle of Man works hard to protect their habitats. It has disease-free status for several species including bees, which it supplies overseas to establish healthy colonies.

‘As an Island nation, located in the centre of the Irish Sea, we acknowledge the importance of working closely with our neighbours,’ the Minister said.

‘Regional environmental influences can have an impact on us, and our actions can be influential on natural habitats in adjacent countries and waters.’