JNCC, Natural England, NatureScot, Natural Resources Wales and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs - Northern Ireland Environment Agency have today published The status of UK SPAs in the 2000s: the Third Network Review (Phase 2) summary of advice and options.
Special Protection Areas (SPAs) form a vital component of the suite of protected areas in the United Kingdom. These sites are focussed on the protection of rare and vulnerable birds (as listed on Annex I of the Wild Birds Directive) and other regularly occurring migratory birds (not listed on Annex I).
Periodic reviews of the UK SPA network have proved effective at identifying priorities for site-based conservation, as well as identifying other associated and complementary conservation measures that may be needed beyond site boundaries. The latest review is the third within this process and has been structured in three phases.
The Phase 1 report was published in 2016 and advised the four governments of the UK on the sufficiency of the UK SPA network in terrestrial and inshore coastal environments.
The Phase 2 report, published today, addresses the insufficiencies which were identified in Phase 1. The report sets out advice and options on changes to the UK SPA network, including classifying new SPAs, extending existing sites, and/or adding new qualifying features to sites.
Phase 3 will focus on the implementation of the advice and options provided in the Phase 2 report.
The report will be influential in ensuring that UK delivery of the international commitment under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework target to achieve 30% of land and sea protected, conserved and effectively managed for biodiversity (the 30 by 30 Target) is effective for birds.