HC Deb 25 November 1997 vol 301 cc459-60W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what requirements Article 6(3) of the EU Directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (92/43/EEC) places on water undertakers in respect of projects which are likely to have a significant effect on a European site. [16674]

Angela Eagle

Where the consent of a water undertaker is required to any such plan or project, they should, as competent authorities under the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations 1994, apply the provisions of Article 6(3) of the Directive. This requires an appropriate assessment to be undertaken in view of the site's conservation objectives. They should agree to the plan or project only if the assessment shows that it will not have an effect on the integrity of the European site. Public consultation may be appropriate.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he is required to comply with Article 6 of the EU Directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (92/43/EEC) when granting an application for a drought order which is likely to have a significant effect on a European site. [16665]

Angela Eagle

Yes. The Secretary of State is a competent authority under the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations 1994, which transpose the requirements of the Habitats Directive.