Welcome to the Islands of Barra & Vatersay
Welcome to the Islands of Barra & Vatersay
Marine SACs - Decision is in The Hands of The Politicians
1 December, 2009 - 11:13 — admin
The decision to be made on the future designations of the Sound of Barra and the Mingulay Reefs is the decision that will be made by the Scottish Government, where the original proposal came from in the first place. In response to European Guidelines with regard to specific habitats, it was the Government that tasked SNH to look at the scientific evidence which would support or otherwise, the case for the Sound of Barra and The Mingulay Reefs to be designated as Marine Special Areas of Conservation (MSAC). Having submitted their scientific report back to the Government SNH’s role in the MSAC designation now ceases. It will be the politicians who now decide the future of these areas and the Campaign Group SHAMED must continue to take their case to Edinburgh and Brussels.
Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham, has responded to the community concerns by stating, in a letter to Alasdair Allan, MSP, that she has commissioned a Socio Economic Study of the impact that such designations will have on the local communities. “ she stated that “ I too share the concern (of the Community) and recognise the need for and assessment of the potential social and economic impact of these proposals on the community. I can confirm that the Scottish Government will conduct an Impact Assessment of the proposed SACs at Barra and Mingulay and that the results of this work will be made publicly available”.
Marine SACs - Decision is in The Hands of The Politicians
The decision to be made on the future designations of the Sound of Barra and the Mingulay Reefs is the decision that will be made by the Scottish Government, where the original proposal came from in the first place. In response to European Guidelines with regard to specific habitats, it was the Government that tasked SNH to look at the scientific evidence which would support or otherwise, the case for the Sound of Barra and The Mingulay Reefs to be designated as Marine Special Areas of Conservation (MSAC). Having submitted their scientific report back to the Government SNH’s role in the MSAC designation now ceases. It will be the politicians who now decide the future of these areas and the Campaign Group SHAMED must continue to take their case to Edinburgh and Brussels.Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham, has responded to the community concerns by stating, in a letter to Alasdair Allan, MSP, that she has commissioned a Socio Economic Study of the impact that such designations will have on the local communities. “ she stated that “ I too share the concern (of the Community) and recognise the need for and assessment of the potential social and economic impact of these proposals on the community. I can confirm that the Scottish Government will conduct an Impact Assessment of the proposed SACs at Barra and Mingulay and that the results of this work will be made publicly available”.This is a major step forward and a success for the Campaign Group so far in their campaign.