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International designation of wetland site
10/05/1999
Muir of Dinnet in Aberdeenshire has been listed as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. The site has also been classified as a Special Protection Area (SPA) under the EC Wild Birds Directive, bringing the total number of Scottish Ramsar sites to 49 and SPAs to 104.
The wetlands within Muir of Dinnet support an internationally important population of greylag geese. The site, the latest in the continuing programme of classifications providing international protection for rare and migratory birds, is the largest roost for the Icelandic population of greylag goose in Britain.
BACKGROUND
1. Under the EC Wild Birds Directive, Member States are obliged to protect rare and endangered species and migratory birds through a combination of site classification and associated measures. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 provides protection for wild birds generally.
2. The UK is a signatory to and an active participant in the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as waterfowl habitat (also know as the Ramsar Convention after the city in Iran where the first conference was held in 1971). The broad objectives of the Convention are to stem the progressive encroachment on, and loss of, wetlands and to promote their wise use. There are now over 80 countries working together as Parties to the Convention, which plays an important role in safeguarding the world's biodiversity.
3. Today marks the start of the seventh meeting of the signatories to the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance - the Conference of the Parties (COP7) - which is being held in Costa Rica from May 10-18. The main theme of COP7 is "People and Wetlands: The Vital Link" and gives priority attention to the opportunities and challenges of involving communities and societies at large in the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands throughout the world, including developed and developing countries, and countries whose economy is undergoing transition.
4 The Muir of Dinnet pSPA and Ramsar site encompass two neighbouring freshwater Lochs, Davan and Kinord, in the Deeside area of Aberdeenshire. The site lies entirely within the Muir of Dinnet SSSI, National Nature Reserve and is adjacent to the Muir of Dinnet candidate Special Area of Conservation (SAC) which was proposed to the European Commission in March 1998.
5. In collaboration with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), The Scottish Office has developed a programme to classify the most appropriate sites in Scotland. Following consultation with owners, occupiers and other local interests about proposed classifications, SNH recommends SPAs and Ramsar sites to the Secretary of State for classification.
6. Sites recommended for SPA classification normally require to have been notified as Sites of Special Scientific Interest under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Under the terms of the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c) Regulations 1994 developments that would damage the conservation interest can only proceed if there are no alternative solutions and there are imperative reasons of overriding public interest.
News Release: 1000/99
10 May, 1999