§ Dr. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many sites have been identified with the United Kingdom as fulfilling the criteria for listing under (a) the Ramsar convention on wetlands of international importance and (b) EC directive 79/409 on the conservation of wild birds; and if he will state the time table for listing these areas.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinThe Nature Conservancy Council has identified 129 sites which meet the criteria for listing under the Ramsar convention, and 151 which satisfy the requirements for listing under EC directive 79/409. Further such sites may be identified in the future.
The listing of these sites is being carried out as part of the notification and re-notification of sites of special scientific interest under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which is expected to be substantially complete by the end of 1987.