Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 26 May 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 16 June 2004. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Wednesday, 16 June 2004 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to draw up a register of existing and potential wetlands to help meet the requirements of the EC Water Framework Directive.

Answer: Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to draw up a register of existing and potential wetlands to help meet the requirements of the EC Water Framework Directive. [176917] Mr. Morley: The Water Framework Directive requires that a register of protected areas is drawn up to help determine management of water bodies. This register will include protected wildlife sites of wetland character such as those designated as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) under the Birds Directive and candidate Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) under the Habitats Directive. The Environment Agency, in its role as competent authority for the Water Framework Directive, English Nature and others are actively exploring ways of how best to incorporate wetlands into integrated river basin planning and management. The River Ribble catchment is being used to test such an approach, which if successful, could be applied more widely in due course.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 176917; 422 c948-9W
Session: 2003-04
EC documents: Dir2000/60/EC
Subjects: Birds EU law Nature conservation Water Rivers Wetlands Special protection areas Special areas of conservation River Ribble
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk