HC Deb 27 May 1988 vol 134 cc380-1W
Mr. Clifford Forsythe

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he intends to designate Lough Neagh/Lough Beg as a special protection area under European Community directive 79/409 on the conservation of wild birds.

Mr. Needham

The Department may only declare sites to be special protection areas under European Community Directive 79/409 after they have been given protection as areas of special scientific interest under the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. Lough Beg was declared an ASSI on 20 August 1987. As survey work to enable the drawing of boundaries for the proposed Lough Neagh ASSI will not commence until the summer of 1988, it is not possible, as yet, to state when the two loughs jointly will be declared as a special protection area.

Mr. Clifford Forsythe

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he will take to ensure that no deleterious effects, as a result of drainage operations, occur within the Lough Neagh/Lough Beg area designated under the convention of wetlands of international importance especially as a waterfowl habitat; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Needham

Each proposal for new or improvement drainage works within the Lough Neagh/Lough Beg area is the subject of detailed consultation between the Departments of Agriculture and Environment for Northern Ireland. The primary objective of these consultations is the retention and protection of the important wetlands.

Mr. Clifford Forsythe

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the areas of special scientific interest so far declared within the Lough Neagh/Lough Beg Ramsar site, giving the area and dates of declaration and confirmation in each case.

Mr. Needham

One area of special scientific interest has so far been declared within the Lough Neagh/Lough Beg Ramsar site. The area, which is known as the Lough Beg area of special scientific interest was declared on 20 August 1987. It was confirmed with slight modifications on 11 March 1988 and the confirmed area is 1,125 hectares.

Mr. Clifford Forsythe

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list all applications to the Department of Agriculture (NI) for drainage grant within, or likely to affect, areas of special scientific interest declared within the Lough Neagh-Lough Beg Ramsar site since the respective areas of special scientific interest declarations were made.

Mr. Needham

None.