Question reference: S5W-35347
- Asked by: John Finnie, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 19 February 2021
-
Current status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 3 March 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it adjusts its model for determining whether a species can be restored to, or maintained at, Favourable Conservation Status, in response to new data.
Answer
Under Article 17 of the European Union’s (EU) Habitats Directive, the UK was required to assess and then report upon the conservation status of European Protected Species. The most recent report was made in 2019 and the UK assessments can be found on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee’s website. NatureScot contributed to this work by providing assessments of European Protected Species in Scotland. The assessments set out the criteria and data taken into account in determining whether or not a species is considered to be in Favourable Conservation Status.
Since the UK left the EU there is no longer a requirement for the UK to report to the EU on the conservation status of European Protected Species.
Scottish domestic legislation was amended in preparation for EU Exit to ensure that Scotland continues to assess and report on the conservation status of European Protected Species. Regulation 3ZA of the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1994 makes provision for reports on the implementation of the measures taken for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of the Directives, including the Habitats Directive, which are required to be published every six years.