§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he has taken to ensure the conservation of peat bogs in the Province.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland has taken action to ensure the conservation of peat bogs in a number of ways. Five peat bogs are managed as national nature reserves and to date a total of eight lowland raised bogs and one upland raised bog have been declared as areas of special scientific interest. In addition the Department has opened a visitor centre at the Peatlands park, County Tyrone, the main184W emphasis of which is the interpretation of the history, exploitation, uses and future of peat. Extensive surveys of peatland areas have been and are being carried out.
§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will list those areas of peat bog which meet the criteria for designation as areas of special scientific interest.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe following lowland raised peat bogs meet the criteria for declaration as areas of special scientific interest (ASSI) and have been declared:
- Black Bog, County Tyrone
- Dunloy Bog, County Antrim
- Fairy Water Bogs, County Tyrone (a complex of 3 bogs)
- Garry Bog, County Antrim
- Moneygal Bog, County Tyrone
- Moninea Bog, County Fermanagh
On the basis of surveys carried out eight of the nine lowland raised bogs of highest nature conservation interest have been declared as ASSIs. The other lowland raised bog was not declared as an ASSI as the result of the decision to permit the commercial extraction of peat which was made after taking account of the report of the Planning Appeals Commission which had conducted a public inquiry. One upland raised bog area at Teal Lough and Slaghtfreeden, Counties Tyrone and Londonderry has been declared an ASSI. Further bogs which are identified as meeting the criteria will be declared as ASSIs.