HC Deb 02 June 1992 vol 208 c371W
Mr. Barry Field

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish his programme for the establishment of special areas for conservation.

Mr. Maclean

The EC habitats directive sets out the programme for establishing special areas of conservation for all member states. It requires each member state to prepare a national list within three years of the notification of the directive. Within six years of notification, the Commission, in agreement with each member state, shall establish a draft list of sites of Community importance drawn from the national lists. Once a site has been adopted as a site of Community importance, the member state concerned has a maximum of six years thereafter to effect its designation as a special area of conservation. I shall ensure that the United Kingdom complies with this programme.