HL Deb 27 June 1988 vol 498 cc1284-6WA
Lord Blease

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Pursuant to their reply of 12th January (Official Report, col. 1226) whether the indentification of sites in Northern Ireland which qualify for designation under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance or designation as special protection areas under EC Directive 79/409 on the Conservation of Wild Birds is proceeding in tandem with the identification of areas of special scientific interest.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Lyell)

The designation of areas of special scientific interest under the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 is regarded as the most significant contribution to site conservation in Northern Ireland. The Department of the Environment (NI) is therefore proceeding with such designations first and at a later date will proceed to the designation of sites under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (known as the Ramsar Convention) and EC Directive 79/409 on the conservation of wild birds. The survey work for the latter is being undertaken at the same time as that for areas of special scientific interest.

Lord Blease

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many sites in Northern Ireland have to date been identified as qualifying for designation as wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention and/or special protection areas; and when they propose to designate the sites so identified.

Lord Lyell

To date, four sites have been identified as qualifying for designation as wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention and also as special protection areas. The sites concerned are Lough Neagh, Lough Beg, Strangford Lough and Lough Foyle. The first two of these were designated under the Ramsar Convention in the mid-1970s.

Further designation will follow the completion of the bulk of the programme for designating areas of special scientific interest.

Lord Blease

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many staff in the Department of the Environment, Northern Ireland, are working on the identification and designation of Ramsar sites and special protection areas in the Province.

Lord Lyell

Eight of the department's staff are engaged full-time on the identification and declaration of areas of special scientific interest, some of which will at a later date be designated as Ramsar sites or special protection areas. Supervision is provided by senior scientific staff.

In addition, a number of field and administrative staff have an input into the process of declaration amounting in total to the equivalent of between two and three full-time posts.

Lord Blease

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What advice the Nature Conservancy Council and the Department of the Environment (GB) have given to the Department of the Environment (NI) concerning the identification and designation of Ramsar sites and special protection areas; and whether, and to what extent, the Department of the Environment (NI) has consulted voluntary conservation organisations on the identification of potential sites.

Lord Lyell

The Department of the Environment (NI) is regularly informed of current policy and developments regarding Ramsar sites and special protection areas by both the Department of the Environment (GB) and the Nature Conservancy Council. The department intends at an appropriate stage to consult relevant voluntary bodies regarding proposals for the designation of Ramsar sites or special protection areas.