§ The Earl of Northeskasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the rules and regulations for the management of the special protection areas that the Nature Conservancy Council has been required to designate under Article 4 of the EEC Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds?
§ Lord SkelmersdaleIn the United Kingdom all special protection areas designated or qualifying for designation under Article 4 of the EEC Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds meet the criteria for notification as sites of special scientific interest, so their management and protection is covered by the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
§ The Earl of Northeskasked Her Majesty's Government:
What consultation has taken place between the Nature Conservancy Council or the Department of the Environment and conservation or sporting organisations about the proposed EEC regulations and the eventual management of the special protection areas.
§ Lord SkelmersdaleWe are unaware of any proposed EEC regulations affecting the management of special protection areas. However, I am advised that the Nature Conservancy Council have discussed with wildfowling interests the implications of a recent discussion document issued by the Commission on the management of these areas. I understand that the Nature Conservancy Council's policy is to allow traditional methods of management on sites of special scientific interest so long as such methods are compatible with the scientific interest of the site. This view will be reflected in the Government's response to the EEC discussion document.