What consideration has been given to any threat to local and migratory birds from reduction in availability of native cockles following unr…

It is the policy of the Scottish Executive to ensure the protection and conservation of all wild birds in accordance with the requirements of the EC Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the Conservation of Wild Birds (the Birds Directive) and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. In instances where a possible threat has been posed to local and migratory birds by the harvesting of cockles, the Executive has sought the advice of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), the Executive's statutory nature conservation agency, on whether there is a scientific need to use legislative powers to conserve the interests of the birds.