§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what licensing arrangements are being made, with respect to Greenland white-fronted geese and barnacle geese, for the winter of 1988–89.
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§ Mr. Michael ForsythNo decisions have as yet been taken as to licensing arrangements for shooting geese on Islay during the winter of 1988–89.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether, in respect of each licence granted to shoot barnacle geese on the island of Islay, he will provide estimates of yield loss and subsequent financial loss to the respective licensees as a result of damage caused by barnacle geese; and what estimates he made of the loss which would be incurred if no killing took place;
(2) whether, in respect of each licence granted to shoot Greenland white-fronted geese on the island of Islay, he will provide estimates of yield loss and subsequent financial loss to the respective licensees as a result of damage caused by Greenland white-fronted geese; and what estimates he made of the loss which would occur if no killing took place.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythNo specific estimates were made of yield loss or subsequent financial loss against each of the licences issued. Nor were such estimates made against the losses which would have occurred if no killing had taken place. In the judgment of my professional staff uncontrolled grazing by both barnacle and white-fronted geese in significant numbers causes serious damage to improved grassland and crops, with consequent financial loss to the farmers involved. The licences were issued in accordance with the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to prevent such damage.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will be supporting the use of a Manpower Services Commission goose-scaring team on Islay for the 1988–89 winter; and what other arrangements he will be supporting for that winter.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythNo support will be available from the Manpower Services Commission for goose scaring on Islay for the 1988–89 winter. Alternative arrangements are under consideration, but no decisions have as yet been taken.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if, pursuant to his reply of 21 June,Official Report, column 512, he will list those areas on Islay that meet the criteria for classification as special protection areas under article 4 of EC directive 79/409 but which have not yet been designated; if he will indicate the number of Greenland white-fronted geese regularly using each area; what consultations have been held with landowners and occupiers concerning the designation of those international sites; when he intends to designate them as specially protected areas; and if such areas are notified as sites of special scientific interest.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonAreas which are considered by the Nature Conservancy Council to meet the selection criteria for special protection areas under article 4 of the EC directive 79/409 were listed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment in a parliamentary answer on 11 May 1987. Of the eight sites identified on Islay, four—Laggan, Bridgend Flats, Loch Gruinart and Eilean na Muice Duibhe—were classified as SPAs by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland on 14 July 1988. Two sites—Glac na Criche and Feur Lochain—have been notified as sites of special scientific interest, but have not yet been classified as116W SPAs. The council has consulted owners and occupiers over the proposed SPA status of these sites and have recommended them for consideration by my right hon. and learned Friend, who will announce his decision in due course.
The Rinns of Islay has also been notified as an SSSI and owners and occupiers have been advised of the council's view that the site will qualify as an SPA in due course. The required consultations are still to be completed.
The Oa has been identified by the council as meeting the selection criteria for designation as an SPA, but further survey work is required to define the boundary of the area that is of special interest. Consequently, the council is not yet in a position to propose the area as an SSSI.
The NCC estimates that the Oa and the Rinns are regularly used annually by about 1,000 and about 1,800 Greenland white-fronted geese respectively. These are average figures for the years 1983–88 and relate to birds which both feed and roost within these areas. The figures for the Rinns include the areas of Glac na Criche and Feur Lochain SSSIs. These are roosting areas used annually by between 700 and 800 birds.