§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list candidate wetlands of international importance in the United Kingdom proposed for listing under the Ramsar convention. [40753]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe Government are considering the sites listed which have been proposed for Ramsar listing by the statutory conservation agencies.
Site County or region Site County or region Avon Valley Hampshire Dorset Greenlaw Moor and Hule Moss Borders Breydon Water Norfolk Westwater Borders Deben Estuary Suffolk Lake of Menteith Central Duddon Estuary Cumbria Castle Loch, Lochmaben Dumfries and Galloway Dungeness-Pett Levels Kent, East Susex Lock Inch and Torrs Warren Dumfries and Galloway Foulness Essex Loch of Strathbeg Grampian Humber Flats, Marshes and Coast Phase 2 Humberside Lincs Muir of Dinnet Gramian Mersey Estuary Merseyside Chesire Ythan Estuary, Sands of Forvie and Meikle Lochs Grampian Midland Meres and Mosses Phase 2 Chesire, Shropshire, Staffs and Clwyd Loch Ruthven Highland Morecambe Bay Cumbria Lanes Moray Basin, Firths and Bays Highland Northumberland Coast Northumberland River Spey/Insh Marshes Highland Pevensey Levels East Sussex Firth of Forth Lothian Poole Harbour Somerset Levels Dorset Somerset East Sanday North Roe and Tingon Orkney Shetland Southampton Water and Solent Hampshire, Isle of Wight Inner Clyde Estuary Strathclyde Thames Estuary and Marshes Kent Rhinns of Islay Strathclyde
§ Mr. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of the United Kingdom is designated under the Ramsar convention; and what percentage areas of their territories other EU member status have designated. [40752]
§ Mr. ClappisonApproximately 1.3 per cent. of the United Kingdom is listed under the Ramsar convention on wetlands of international importance. Similar information is not readily available for other EU member states.
§ Mr. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if there is a timetable for the designation of candidate Ramsar wetlands included on the United Kingdom's shadow list. [40754]
§ Mr. ClappisonIncluding three sites in dependent territories, the United Kingdom has already listed 95 wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar 401W convention—far more than any other country in the world. A number of additional proposed sites are under consideration, but there is no firm timetable for future listings.