§ Mr. Kevin HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 8 December,Official Report, columns 575–76, what action he will take to ensure that the sites involved in the English Nature-Fisons agreement are not subject to further damage from further commercial peat extraction.
§ Mr. MacleanThis is a matter for English Nature and I am confident that it is pursuing it vigorously. The vegetated areas previously planned for peat extraction on Thorne and Hatfield moors, Wedholme flow and Glasson moss are intact and intended to remain so. Water levels have been successfully raised and the prime areas of these SSSIs are now in much better condition than before negotiation started. Peat excavation has now ceased on SSSI areas owned by Fisons in Somerset and plans to raise water levels are well advanced. The agreement with Fisons will be designed to minimise damage to those areas where peat excavation may continue.
§ Mr. Kevin HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 8 December,Official Report, column 575, what progress has been made in finalising the agreement between English Nature and Fisons to secure areas of lowland peatland of conservation importance including Thorne and Hatfield moors; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanEnglish Nature and Fisons are reaching the final stages of discussions to conclude the leaseback arrangements on the land being worked for peat. They have agreed outline heads of terms for an agreement relating to the future moors management to accompany the leaseback and terms concerning the conveyance of Fisons' currently unworked peatlands to English Nature. Because of the complexity of this transaction the legal stages in the conveyance may be lengthy.