International Designations
Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)
The Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora)333 was adopted in 1992 and requires Member States to maintain or restore habitats and species at a favourable conservation status.
Following a period of consultation, possible sites Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are agreed with the European Commission. There are different levels within the SAC designation process and sites that have been proposed may be known as:
- Draft SACs (dSACs): areas that have been formally advised to UK government as suitable for selection, but not yet formally approved by our government as sites for public consultation;
- Possible SACs (pSACs): sites formally advised to UK Government, but not yet submitted to the European Commission;
- Candidate SACs (cSACs): sites submitted to the European Commission, but not yet formally adopted;
- Sites of Community Importance (SCIs): sites that have been adopted by the European Commission but not yet formally designated by our government;
- Special Areas of Conservation (SACs): adopted by the European Commission and formally designated by our government.
Sites progress from draft to full SAC status (in England) through consultation by Natural England on behalf of the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). There are currently 611 SACs in the UK.
  
The Habitats Directive can be read online at here
Special Protection Areas (SPAs)
In 1979 the EC adopted the Birds Directive (Directive 79/409/EEC on the Conservation of Wild Birds)334 to apply to all birds, their eggs, nests and habitats. The directive affords protection, management and control of all naturally occurring species of wild birds in Member States. It requires measures to maintain a good diversity of habitats for all species of wild birds with the aim of sustaining bird populations at ecologically and scientifically sound levels. Special measures are also required to conserve the habitats of certain particularly rare species or migratory species. These special measures include the designation of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) which are classified by the Secretary of State. Many sites qualify for both SPA and Ramsar designations. Consultations are carried out with all stakeholders by Natural England after which a case for site classification is submitted to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR).
Given the significance of the both the habitats and the species supported by wetlands many sites qualify for both Ramsar and SPA designations. SPAs and SACs together make up a network of sites in Europe called Natura 2000.
The Birds Directive can be read online at here
Ramsar Sites
In 1973 the UK Government signed the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat at the Ramsar Convention. The Ramsar Convention stipulates the conservation of all wetlands, but in particular those that are designated under the Convention as Wetlands of International Importance. Natural England carries out consultations on proposed listing with owners, occupiers and local authorities before submitting a case for listing to DEFRA.
The official website of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands can be found at
www.ramsar.org
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