§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of special areas of conservation; and if he will make a statement. [90178]
§ Mr. MealeThe Government have recently announced that a completed list of 340 wildlife sites nominated for special protection (cSACs) under the Habitats Directive has been submitted to the European Commission. The next stage is for the national lists to be discussed at a meeting of member states in the Atlantic biogeographic region in September. It is too early to make a full scientific assessment of how far the identification of these sites has contributed to the conservation of the habitat types and species concerned but they are given the highest priority for conservation action by English Nature. I am confident that this is a further step forward, reaffirming our determination to protect our own natural heritage and our commitment to European and international conservation initiatives.