Oral Answers to Questions — Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – in the House of Commons at 10:30 am on 10 December 2009.
When his Department plans to establish marine conservation zones; and if he will make a statement.
The first marine conservation zones will be established on
I welcome the creation of MCZs, with their rounded approach to conservation and the protection of marine life and wildlife. Can the Minister tell me whether the Dee estuary, which is already an important environmental site and a special area of conservation, will be a prime site to be designated?
I am sure that my hon. Friend will join me in welcoming the fact that, today, part of the Dee estuary-one of six sites of community importance in the UK-will be formally designated as a special area of conservation by the Secretary of State. I have written to other hon. Members who will have designations in their areas announced today. The Irish sea conservation zones regional project will consider the conservation potential of various parts of its area, including the River Dee. If there are parts of the Dee that have conservation potential-we already know from designations that there are-that are not already protected by other means, then they will indeed be considered.