§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action her Department(a) has taken and (b) proposes to take to allow the EU's Natura 2000 designation to be extended to include sites with ancient trees. [173956]
§ Mr. BradshawAncient trees can and do occur in candidate Special Areas of Conservation, which together with Special Protection Areas for birds form the Natura 2000 network. However, they are not included specifically either as a habitat type in Annex I, or a species in Annex II, of the Habitats Directive for which sites can be selected.
The purpose of Natura 2000 designation is to conserve areas containing habitats and species of Community interest of high ecological and bio-diversity value, rather than their cultural or historical value. Where ancient trees are included within sites, their cultural value as well as their contribution to the biodiversity of the area is provided for.