§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made as to whether the provisions of the Conservation (Natural Habitats Etc) Regulations are adequate to comply fully with the United Kingdom Government's obligation to protect the habitats of dormice, under the European habitats directive.
§ Sir Paul BeresfordThe regulations were drafted to afford the requisite level of protection for all animal species listed on annexe IVa of the EC habitats directive, including the dormouse—muscardinus avellanarius. Regulation 39(1)(d) makes it an offence to damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of such an animal, reflecting article 12(1)(d) of the directive. Derogations under licence from these provisions for specified purposes are allowed where the authorities are satisfied that there is no satisfactory alternative and that the action authorised will not be detrimental to the maintenance of the population of the species concerned at a favourable conservation status in their natural range.