Mr. Brian Lucas:

I am not in a position to answer that question. As it says in the national peatland strategy, there is a need to devise and implement a system of management for the SAC sites. Any system of management for blanket bogs must be drawn up in consultation with local communities to ensure that important peatlands are managed in a suitable way for the benefit of the community and in compliance with EU law. I do not think one could develop that management system until detailed fieldwork is carried out. I do not think that system could be brought in on the basis of a desktop study alone. Detailed fieldwork would have to be carried out on all those sites. As I said, that would have to be done in consultation with local communities.