HC Deb 16 September 2003 vol 410 cc719-20W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of whether the Biodiversity Species Action Plan to double the number of Irish Hares by 2010 is likely to be achieved. [129533]

Angela Smith

The target to double the population by 2010 is one of three challenging targets contained in the Species Action Plan for the Irish Hare published in 2000.

The Plan is based primarily on the need to increase the extent, and improve the quality, of habitats favoured by the Irish Hare. While there are specific plans in place for these habitats, demonstrable effects on hare numbers cannot be expected for several years.

At this stage it is not possible to predict whether the target to double the population by 2010 will be achieved. Estimates of the Irish Hare population were made in 1997 and 2002 and suggested that the population remained stable between those dates. Further estimates will be made as the Plan progresses, but it should be recognised that the margin of uncertainty associated with these estimates is high, and the detection of population trends is therefore difficult.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he has received the report on the status of the Irish Hare for the review of the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985; and if he will make a statement. [129534]

Angela Smith

My Department has commissioned a study of changes needed to the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. The study is being carried out to complement aspects of the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy and local Species Action Plans. One of its objectives is to examine the case for changes in the legal status of certain species, including the Irish Hare.

A draft report was received by the Department of the Environment on 30 June. It puts forward a number of legislative options in relation to the status of the Irish Hare. The final report is expected to make specific proposals. Before I consider whether to take these proposals forward, I will seek the advice of the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Group and the Department's statutory advisory committee, the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside.