There are 77 candidate ScottishSpecial Areas of Conservation, designated under the EC Habitats Directive forthe peatland habitat types blanket bog, active raised bog, and degraded raised bog.Together these sites provide international protection for over 220,000 hectaresof habitat.In addition to this thereare a significant number of Sites of Special Scientific Interest, notifiedunder the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and Special Protection Areasclassified under the EC Birds Directive, which provides protection for peatlandhabitats.Designation of peatlandinterests under the EC Habitats and Bird Directives prevents peat extraction,except...