§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to reverse the decline in bird populations on the North Staffordshire moors; and if he will make z statement. [36764]
§ Angela EagleIn response to a decline in certain bird populations, the South West Peak Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA), part of the North Staffordshire Moor, was set up in 1993. This ESA included management guidelines specifically aimed at birc protection by minimising the risk of disturbance and nest damage. The 1997 Quinquennial Review of the ESA considered a further range of options for habitat management and creation. As a result, further measures have been taken to encourage the regeneration of extensive pasture land and recreation of traditional meadows, as well as supplementary payments designed to encourage farmers to follow a drainage management plan This enables the creation of areas of wet land as suitable habitat for feeding and nesting birds.
In addition, other areas of the moor are designated as Special Protection Areas under the EC Wild Birds Directive 79/409/EEC.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess the impact on bird life on the North Staffordshire moors of agricultural developments over the last 20 years; and if he will make a statement. [36763]
§ Angela EagleDeclines in the populations of some species of birds in the North Staffordshire moorland area in particular ground nesting waders such as curlew and 529W lapwing, as well as the skylark and twite, have been shown by a number of surveys which have been carried out since 1984.
The reasons for the declines may be linked to breeding failure caused by predation and changes in fanning practices. Measures have been put into place which may help to reverse the decline in the population of these bird species.