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Defra has been set the very challenging target of ensuring that 95% of England's most valuable wildlife and geological sites—Sites of Special Scientific Interest—are in favourable condition by 2010.
The Department, English Nature and the owners and occupiers of SSSIs have so far responded admirably to the challenge. English Nature has completed the first full assessment of the sites' condition and there has been some early improvement in condition: between April 2003 and April 2004, the percentage of SSSI land meeting the target rose from just under 57% to almost 63%.
However, we are concerned that the target will not be met unless a number of far-reaching changes are made. Agri-environment schemes must be changed so that, when applied to SSSIs, they can be more effectively targeted at achieving favourable condition than at present. Action on individual sites will not be sufficient, as many sites are affected by activities beyond their borders. Defra will need to ensure that its broader environmental policies, particularly those that affect freshwater and coastal ecosystems, protect habitats and wildlife effectively and that such policies are in place in good time.
Although English Nature is clearly fully focussed on the PSA target, other public bodies appear to be less aware of their responsibilities. Defra must ensure that these are clear and that all SSSI landowners know what sources of funding and advice are available to them.
Finally, meeting the target will be expensive. We are concerned that funding for English Nature, agri-environment schemes and wider policy changes will not be sufficient to bring enough SSSIs into favourable condition in time.
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