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Written question asked by James Cleverly (Conservative) on Friday, 31 October 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 4 November 2025. It was answered by Mary Creagh (Labour) on Thursday, 6 November 2025 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Nature Conservation: Wetlands

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential (a) costs and (b) merits of adding Ramsar sites to the Habitats Regulation rules.

Answer

Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance designated under the Convention on Wetlands. Most Ramsar sites are also already designated as Habitats Sites or Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), and so subject to strict protections. However, in view of our international commitments as signatories to the Convention, it is Government policy that all Ramsar sites are afforded protection under the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) process as a matter of policy.

The statutory recognition of Ramsar sites through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will formalise existing practice, reducing ambiguity and potential legal risk, and providing greater clarity and certainty for developers. Adding Ramsar sites to the Habitats Regulation also enables Ramsar sites, and development that impacts upon these sites, to benefit from the new Nature Restoration Fund model, supporting both nature recovery and sustainable development.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
87036
Session
2024-26
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Costs Nature conservation Wetlands
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk