What are Special Protection Areas (SPAs)?
SPAs are areas which have been identified as being of international importance for the breeding, feeding, wintering or the migration of rare and vulnerable species of birds found within European Union countries. They are European designated sites, classified under the ‘Birds Directive 1979’ which provides enhanced protection given by the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) status all SPAs also hold.
How might Special Protection Areas (SPAs) affect you?
The legal requirements relating to the management and protection of SPAs in England are set out in The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (SI No. 2010/490) which supercede The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended). All terrestrial SPAs in England have also been notified as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).
Designation of an SPA is unlikely to have a major affect on how SSSIs are already managed to conserve their biodiversity. We will work in partnership with those who own, use and manage land to make any necessary changes in the way in which it is managed. Where necessary, we may be able to help costs of any special management by entering into an agreement with owners or occupiers.
Every SSSI notification contains a list of potentially damaging operations. By law, owners or occupiers must inform us in writing and obtain our permission before carrying out any of these listed operations. There is a right of appeal to Defra if permission is refused.
What is the Birds Directive?
The Bird’s Directive (EC Directive on the conservation of wild birds (79/409/EEC) came into force in April 1979. It covers the protection, management and control of all species of naturally occurring wild birds in the European territory of member states. In particular it requires Member States to identify and give special protection to areas for the rare or vulnerable species listed in Annex 1 of the Directive and for regularly occurring migratory species.
SPAs are areas which have been identified as being of international importance for the breeding, feeding, wintering or the migration of rare and vulnerable species of birds found within European Union countries. They are European designated sites, classified under the ‘Birds Directive 1979’ which provides enhanced protection given by the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) status all SPAs also hold.
The legal requirements relating to the management and protection of SPAs in England are set out in The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (SI No. 2010/490) which supercede The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended). All terrestrial SPAs in England have also been notified as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).
Designation of an SPA is unlikely to have a major affect on how SSSIs are already managed to conserve their biodiversity. We will work in partnership with those who own, use and manage land to make any necessary changes in the way in which it is managed. Where necessary, we may be able to help costs of any special management by entering into an agreement with owners or occupiers.
Every SSSI notification contains a list of potentially damaging operations. By law, owners or occupiers must inform us in writing and obtain our permission before carrying out any of these listed operations. There is a right of appeal to Defra if permission is refused.
The Bird’s Directive (EC Directive on the conservation of wild birds (79/409/EEC) came into force in April 1979. It covers the protection, management and control of all species of naturally occurring wild birds in the European territory of member states. In particular it requires Member States to identify and give special protection to areas for the rare or vulnerable species listed in Annex 1 of the Directive and for regularly occurring migratory species.
