§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of the United Kingdom land area he has designated as special areas of conservation; and what the percentage is for other EU member states. [72775]
§ Mr. MealeA total of 333 UK sites have been submitted to the European Commission as candidate SACs covering over 1,687,000 hectares. This accounts for 3.4 per cent. of the UK land surface. A similar additional area is covered by marine sites below mean low water. The Department does not have official information about other Member States, which is a matter for them and the European Commission.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on the designation of new special areas of conservation; and what was his evaluation of each suggestion. [72647]
§ Mr. Meale333 UK candidate Special Areas of Conservation have been submitted to the European Commission following consideration of all representations made as a result of consultation. Many representations related to specific proposed sites; others, mainly from environmental organisations, suggested additions to the list. Where these suggestions were judged, on the advice of the nature conservation agencies through the JNCC, to be consistent with the Habitats Directive's criteria and requirements, they have been adopted. The JNCC publications, The Habitats Directive: selection of Special Areas of Conservation in the UK (Report No. 270), sets out the rationale that has been applied. It was published in October 1997 and placed in the Library of the House at the time.