What proposals it has to develop an improved system for nature conservation.

The Scottish Executive has already developed significant new measures to ensure the protection and enhancement of nature. We are promoting legislation on National Parks to secure the sustainable management of large parts of Scotland's natural heritage. We have reformed agricultural support, including the development of a new Rural Stewardship Scheme to support farmers' management of nature. We have announced an increase in SNH's budget from £39 million in 1999-2000 to £46.5 million in 2001-02 to support positive management of the natural heritage.We remain committed to fulfilling our obligations under the EC Habitats and Birds Directives to protect the most important natural places in Scotland. That is why I am today identifying further sites as possible Special Areas of Conservation under the EC Habitats Directive.Before I decide whether to propose the 90 sites in the table below to the European Commission as candidate SACs, I want to ensure that owners and occupiers and other interested parties have been consulted about the scientific case for the proposal. The list is based on scientific advice from Scottish Natural Heritage and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and I believe it is substantially complete. But I am also open to consideration of scientific evidence about any exceptions to the completeness of this list. I shall not make a final decision about proposing any sites to the Commission until I have considered the results of consultation.I believe we can still do more for Scotland's nature. I intend as soon as possible to publish a policy statement setting out further reforms, so that we can work better with Scottish communities to look after our natural heritage. I intend in that paper to propose measures to tackle wildlife crime and measures to improve the way we work with local people to protect our most special natural places.Site Name | Local Authority Area
Abhainn Clais An Eas and allt a'Mhuilinn | Highland
Achnahaird | Highland
Airds Moss | East Ayrshire
Altnaharra | Highland
Ardnamurchan Burns | Highland
Ardvar and Loch a'Mhuilinn Woodlands | Highland
Ascrib, Isay and Dunvegan | Highland
Berriedale and Langwell Waters | Highland
Borders Woods | Scottish Borders
Broubster Leans | Highland
Buchan Ness to Collieston | Aberdeenshire
Burrow Head | Dumfries & Galloway
Cape Wrath |