§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is(a) the total number and (b) the total area of (i) special protection areas and (ii) special areas of conservation in the United Kingdom. [41851]
§ Mr. ClappisonSome 107 special protection areas have been designated in the UK covering a total area of some 355,000 hectares. Further designations are expected shortly.
In March, public consultation began on 280 possible special areas of conservation covering over 900,000 hectares. The final list must be agreed with the European Commission. The designation of agreed sites should be completed by 2004.