§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps the Government have taken to fulfil their obligations under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance; what areas remain outstanding; and if he will make a statement. [28158]
§ Angela EagleThe Government are making excellent progress in designating Ramsar sites. Since the UK acceded to the Convention in 1976, we have listed 120 sites covering 491,646 hectares, including two in the Dependent Territories.
On 2 February, at an event to mark the 27th Anniversary of the Convention, the Government launched the UK Targets for the Ramsar Strategic Plan. The strategy sets targets for the UK to achieve further progress, towards the wise use of wetlands, and identifies specific goals, for the period to 2002. I have arranged for a copy to be deposited in the Library of the House.