§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action is being undertaken to accelerate the designation of protection areas tinder the European Community birds directive; and if he will bring forward legislation to implement the European Community habitats directive during the United Kingdom's presidency of the European Community.
§ Mr. MacleanThe Department and the statutory nature conservation bodies are affording high priority to the designation of special protection areas for birds and are working together on an accelerated designation programme. As a result, 21 special protection areas have been designated in the past 12 months, bringing the United Kingdom total to 61 sites. The Government are currently considering the measures necessary to implement the habitats directive; the legal framework for which is required to be in place by June 1994.