§ Mrs. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is the number of sites which meet the criteria for designation and protection under the European Community directive on the conservation of wild birds, the number of sites so designated, the name of the site next to be designated and the date he expects to designate it;
(2) when he last designated an area under the Ramsar convention on the conservation of wetlands of international importance; if he will indicate the area which is next to be designated, and when he expects to designate it.
§ Mr. RobertsThe designation of special protection areas and Ramsar sites is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. Welsh sites are designated in consultation with me.
1015WI understand that the NCC has so far identified 14 potential SPAs in Wales, of which three have been designated. The last Ramsar designation in Wales, Cors Fochno and Dyfi, was on 5 January 1986.
I cannot forecast which site will be designated next nor when. Government officials are currently carrying out consultation on a number of sites in both England and Wales.