§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the obligations under the EEC protection of birds directive in so far as it applies to the proposed Cardiff bay barrage scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoynihanCardiff bay is part of the area of the Severn estuary which has been identified by the nature conservancy council as meeting the criteria for designation as a special protection area under the EC birds directive. It is our policy that potential special protection areas such as the Severn estuary should be dealt with on the same basis as those which have been formally classified, when development proposals are being considered.
Article 4 of the EC birds directive, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House, requires member states to take specific steps for the conservation of the habitats of:
- (a) species in danger of extinction;
- (b) species vulnerable to specific changes in their habitat;
- (c) species considered rare because of small populations or restricted local distribution;
- (d) other species requiring particular attention for reasons for the specific nature of their habitat;
- (e) regularly occurring migratory species.
We shall have careful regard to these obligations in examining the Cardiff bay barrage proposals and will ensure that Parliament is fully advised of the relevant requirements of the directive in considering the private Bill being promoted by South Glamorgan county council.