Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government does intend to conduct a review of the Game Acts, which will commence before the end of the year. Early tasks will be to assess the scope of work required and to set a realistic timeframe. Part of the process will be a public consultation, providing stakeholders the opportunity to contribute.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is a member of the Cape Wrath Conservation Group which meets twice a year. The meetings are chaired alternately by Defence Training Estates and a member of the Durness Community Council. Discussions take place at these meetings on the timing of military exercises but there is no formal consultation with SNH regarding specific operations in the area. The most recent meeting was held on 12 December 2007.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has advised that there are no restrictions specific to the nesting season in the Cape Wrath site of special scientific interest (SSSI). There is, however, a list of operations requiring consent; owners and occupiers must apply for and obtain consent from SNH before carrying out, causing or permitting to be carried out any of the operations specified on land within the SSSI.

The list of Operations Requiring Consent for the Cape Wrath SSSI is available on the SNH website at the following web address:

http://gateway.snh.gov.uk/pls/portal/Sitelink.Show_Site_Document?p_pa_code=311&p_Doc_Type_ID=28.

Land at Cape Wrath has been classified a special protection area under the EC Birds Directive. Further information, including a map, is available on the Scottish Natural Heritage website at the following address:

http://gateway.snh.gov.uk/portal/page?_pageid=53,910305,53_910314&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&PA_CODE=8481&NEW_WINDOW=false.

Scottish Natural Heritage gave advice in July 2007 to Defence Estates’ Environmental Support Team staff during discussions on the drafting of the Cape Wrath Integrated Rural Management Plan such that joint maritime course exercises be excluded from the bird breeding season from late April to early July.

Scottish Natural Heritage has advised that the May 2008 heath fire at Cape Wrath caused no damage to designated land.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has advised that various habitat types including wet heath and blanket bog over an area of 137 ha were affected by the heath fire in May 2008. SNH estimates that it will take between five and 10 years for the vegetation to recover, although some bird species may recommence nesting in affected areas as soon as next year. Recovery time for the affected blanket bog is unknown and will depend amongst other things on the depth of penetration of the fire into the peat.

The responsibilities placed on owners of land notified as (or as part of) a site of special scientific interest in Scotland are set out in the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004. Further information is available in the explanatory notes which accompany that act.

The Conservation (Natural Habitats,&.) Regulations 1994 (as amended) provide for the protection of sites protected under the EC Birds and Habitats Directives.

Regulation 18 defines an offence of recklessly or intentionally causing damage to a protected site. Part IV of the regulations make provision for the adaptation of planning and certain other controls for the protection of sites.

Regulation 3(4) requires every competent authority, in the exercise of any of their functions, to have regard to the requirements of the EC Habitats Directive so far as they may be affected by the exercise of those functions.

Scottish Natural Heritage has not issued any guidelines or rules for the conduct of live firing exercises during the nesting season.

Land at Cape Wrath has been notified as a site of special scientific interest. Further information (including a map of the SSSI) is available on the Scottish Natural Heritage website at the following address:

http://gateway.snh.gov.uk/portal/page?_pageid=53,910305,53_922284&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&PA_CODE=311&NEW_WINDOW=false.