Environment watchdogs have launched a probe into whether or not the Scottish Government is doing sufficient to guard the habitats of Scotland’s uncommon, threatened and vulnerable birds.
Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) will perform an investigation to evaluate if there was a failure to adjust to authorized duties concerning the classification of the Special Protection Area (SPA) community in Scotland.
SPAs are areas which might be chosen to guard uncommon or vulnerable hen species. There are at the moment 162 SPAs in Scotland which shield the properties of a variety of species together with the Golden Eagle and Red Kite.
SPAs can be discovered from from the north of Shetland to the cross border Solway Firth SPA, with the smallest discovered at Imperial Dock Lock within the coronary heart of Leith, in Edinburgh.
This web site solely covers round 1000 sq. metres, but it’s categorised for and home to one of many UK’s greatest widespread tern colonies.
An Arctic Tern (Image: NQ)
More than ten SPAs cowl inshore and offshore waters, extending defending to species together with basking shark, minke whale and Risso’s dolphin. in addition to 31 species of marine birds reminiscent of nice northern diver, Slavonian grebe, long-tailed duck, Arctic tern and kittiwake
The investigation by ESS will look at the governance of suggestions made by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) in respect of the classification of SPAs in Scotland.
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The JNCC is accountable for advising Scottish Ministers (and the UK Government and different devolved administrations) on features of the classification and administration of SPAs, publishing SPA Selection Guidelines and offering recommendation to nature conservation our bodies, together with NatureScot, in reference to their features.
The investigation follows considerations raised with ESS that environmental law concerning SPAs isn’t being totally applied throughout the UK.
Today the Office for Environmental Protection has launched a separate investigation into the SPA community in England and Northern Ireland.
The Interim Environmental Protection Assessor for Wales (IEPAW) are additionally enterprise work that features SPAs, with shared considerations over them.
A Golden Eagle within the Cairngorms (Image: NQ)
Mark Roberts, CEO of ESS, mentioned: “Scotland has over 160 special protection areas (SPAs) spanning the length of the country, from the North of Shetland to the Solway Firth. These areas are fundamental to the safeguarding of our protected bird species, their nests, eggs and habitats.
“We’re announcing an investigation into the classification and governance of the SPA network following receipt of a representation that has raised concerns regarding the classification and adaptation of these SPAs in Scotland.
READ MORE: Number of golden eagles in southern Scotland soars to ‘highest in 300 years’
“Last year the Scottish Government declared a biodiversity crisis. Ensuring that the law that protects nature is fully and effectively implemented is an essential part of addressing that crisis.
“We will publish the results of our investigation in due course.”
The Scottish Government has been approached for remark.
