§ Sir David KnoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the area, as a percentage of the peatland site of special scientific interest, of Wedholme Flow, covered by the agreement between English Nature and Fisons, where the commercial extraction of peat will be allowed to continue; and what assessment he has made of the effect on the level of biodiversity.
§ Mr. YeoOne hundred and sixty hectares, some 21 per cent. of the Wedholme flow SSSI, will continue to be worked for peat extraction. In addition to the remaining uncut areas, English Nature has been actively managing10W 103 hectares of previously worked land since early in 1992. Site management staff report that recolonisation of cut-over areas is proceeding rapidly, following restoration of water levels. Biodiversity levels appear to be increasing.