§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish his programme for the establishment of special areas for conservation.
§ Mr. MacleanThe 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.