§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they would consider issuing licences to shoot Greenland white-fronted geese within areas that meet the criteria for designation as Special Protection Areas under the EC directive on the conservation of wild birds.
§ The Minister of State, Scottish Office (Lord Sanderson of Bowden)In considering any request to issue licences to shoot Greenland white-fronted geese in any area, the Government will have full regard to our obligations under EC Directive 79/409 on the conservation of wild birds. Where an area has been (a) classified as a Special Protection Area on account of its importance as a habitat for Greenland white-fronted geese or (b) identified as an area which in the opinion of the Nature Conservancy Council appears to meet the criteria to be so classified, there is a particular obligation upon the Government to avoid any potential damage or disturbance to the birds or their habitats which would be significant (in the terms of the directive) for the survival and reproduction of the species. The Government also have regard to the economic and recreational requirements as provided for in the directive.
None of the licences issued in 1988 was issued for use within Special Protection Areas or areas which in the council's view meet the criteria for Special Protection Areas.