Advice please - re SPAs RAMSAR functional linkage and Brexit (1 Viewer)

[Jane Turner]

I'm speaking next at a public meeting next week re plans to build a Trump-like Golf resort adjacent to a site which holds a regular 1000+ strong Blackwit wintering population.

I was all lined up to show functional linkage with the Dee Estuary SPA, which specifically mentions internationally significant numbers in its designation.

I need a quick and simple answer to 3 Qs.

What will happen to SPAs following Brexit?

Am I safe to assume that since its also a Ramsar site and internationally recognised, that Ramsar designation and regulation will outlast any Brexiting

Is it appropriate to use the concept of functional linkage with Ramsar in the same way as an SPA?


Cheers in advance

 

[JoanT]

I'm speaking next at a public meeting next week re plans to build a Trump-like Golf resort adjacent to a site which holds a regular 1000+ strong Blackwit wintering population.

I was all lined up to show functional linkage with the Dee Estuary SPA, which specifically mentions internationally significant numbers in its designation.

I need a quick and simple answer to 3 Qs.

What will happen to SPAs following Brexit?

I am safe to assume that since its also a Ramsar site and internationally recognised, that Ramsar designation and regulation will outlast any Brexiting

Is it appropriate to use the concept of functional linkage with Ramsar in the same way as an SPA?


Cheers in advance

I suspect Mark Avery would know try contact him through his blog or Twitter. He is very active campaigning to Ban Driven Grouse shooting and was former conservation director of RSPB

 

[Paul Chapman]

Jane

This may assist:-

http://www.ramsar.org/about-the-ramsar-convention

I suspect in short we will have a greater degree of latitude as to the attention we pay outside of the EU.

All the best

 

[Mono]

Like most "European Laws", the relevant EU directives were enabled by passing UK legislation to make them enforceable. In the case of the bits of the Birds Directive relevant to SPAs they were enacted into UK law under The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. That is UK law and will remain UK law until repealed or amended. There is a myriad of such UK law that was passed on the behest of EU directives but is now enshrined in UK legislation, each such law will need to be reviewed and amended after any UK exit from the EU and will remain in force until the outcome of such a review. The legislative timetable may be full to bursting for many years to come!

Sorry I don't seem to be able to paste the link from my phone but if you search for the regulation name you can find the legislation.gov.uk page.

EDIT: On a proper computer now

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/490/contents/made

 

[Paul Chapman]

Jane

Please also do not forget that the prevailing political view now is that we should be disentangling ourselves from environmental protection:-

'Last week, George Eustice, a farming minister and leave campaigner, said Britain could develop a more flexible approach to environmental protection free of “spirit-crushing” Brussels directives if it voted to leave.'

http://www.theguardian.com/politics...on-attacks-eu-burden-on-uk-farming-referendum

All the best

 

[lewis20126]

Jane

I think I am right in saying that all SACs/SPAs are also designated as SSSIs under the WCA1981. This means that even if the Habitats Directive and the enabling regs were scrapped (in 2018 or later) then they would still have SSSI status and a reasonably high level of protection.

Ramsars are entirely different as you know - in the UK they tend to be treated by NE and decision makers in the same way as the SPA/SAC level designations and indeed the designations often overlap. Ramsar designations would not be affected by removal of EU Directives.

cheers, alan

 

[Jane Turner]

That is what I was hoping Alan... which leaves my key question does the principle of being functionally linked apply to a Ramsar site.... basically the entire population of one of the species mentioned in the Ramsar designation uses a wet field that will immediately adjacent to the access road for the proposed resort to roost.

 

[Jane Turner]

Like most "European Laws", the relevant EU directives were enabled by passing UK legislation to make them enforceable. In the case of the bits of the Birds Directive relevant to SPAs they were enacted into UK law under The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. That is UK law and will remain UK law until repealed or amended. There is a myriad of such UK law that was passed on the behest of EU directives but is now enshrined in UK legislation, each such law will need to be reviewed and amended after any UK exit from the EU and will remain in force until the outcome of such a review. The legislative timetable may be full to bursting for many years to come!

Sorry I don't seem to be able to paste the link from my phone but if you search for the regulation name you can find the legislation.gov.uk page.

EDIT: On a proper computer now

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/490/contents/made

CHeers!

 

[Nutcracker]

Jane

Please also do not forget that the prevailing political view now is that we should be disentangling ourselves from environmental protection:-

'Last week, George Eustice, a farming minister and leave campaigner, said Britain could develop a more flexible approach to environmental protection free of “spirit-crushing” Brussels directives if it voted to leave.'

http://www.theguardian.com/politics...on-attacks-eu-burden-on-uk-farming-referendum

All the best

Exactly; so one can assume:

I need a quick and simple answer to 3 Qs.

What will happen to SPAs following Brexit? To be abolished

Am I safe to assume that since its also a Ramsar site and internationally recognised, that Ramsar designation and regulation will outlast any Brexiting No

Is it appropriate to use the concept of functional linkage with Ramsar in the same way as an SPA? By all means try, but expect failure

 

[jim48]

Ummmmmm. I am inclined to agree with Paul and Nutcracker. I remember something about the relocation of Stafford Rugby Club about a year to 18 months ago. The land owner got the old site to sell for houses and the Club as to build a multisports facility and new pitches at the new site , which happened to be an SSSI, much noise from the local dog walkers but no public statement from NE. I don't know how it ended. However I do know about two matters that are bogged down in the higher levels of NE and seem to be going nowhere. Staff morale appears poor, and suggestions of letter to the MP time have been made. Informal contact with a former HoL DEFRA spokesperson in the last government suggested lack of funds would be the problem. Its not much use having laws without the funding to deliver the goods.
Cheers,
Jim