§ Baroness Davidasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, pursuant to the statement on the outcome of the Council of Environment Ministers' meeting in Brussels on 24th November (HL 29th November, col. 293) they support the EC Commissions' proposal to introduce a new directive to protect threatened fauna, flora and 1491WA habitats, and whether they propose to introduce domestic legislation to implement such a directive; and
Whether they have received representations from voluntary conservation bodies concerning the European Commission's draft directive to protect threatened fauna, flora and habitats, and whether they will state the nature and outcome of such representations.
The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (The Earl of Caithness)I met representatives of the voluntary conservation organisations on 17th November to discuss the European Commission's proposals. I have also received letters on the subject from a wide range of conservations bodies. All expressed support for a Community directive. As my Answer given on 29th November made clear, the European Commission's approach to a draft directive was rejected by all member states at the Environmental Council on 24th November. We remain prepared to consider any proposal which may come forward under a future1492WA presidency. The need for any domestic legislation would depend on the form and content of such a proposal.