ENGLISH Nature has welcomed a government announcement that it has designated more than 40pc of the North Pennine moors the largest special protection area (SPA) in England.

The organisation is the statutory body responsible for looking after the country's wild plants and animals. It says the area has been designated as an SPA because of its international importance for its breeding birds, including hen harrier, merlin, peregrine and golden plover.

Dr Peter Welsh, English Nature's senior officer in the Yorkshire Dales, said: "SPA designation gives this area the highest level of European protection, signifying the international importance of the breeding bird populations of the moors."

Staff were working with farmers, landowners and gamekeepers who earned their livelihoods in the area, and he felt that the designation would not cause a great deal of change as it was made up of sites that were already sites of special scientific interest (SSSI). Most were keen to work with English Nature to protect and encourage the birds and other natural moors features covered by the new designation.

Mr David Collier, NFU technical adviser for the northern regions, was aware it was a prerequisite for the sites included to be SSSIs, but one of the things he had been looking for was to a exclude them automatically from the proposed Right to Roam Bill. But English Nature had advised the government that it was not necessary. He felt it would take a lot of careful education to ensure that a great amount of damage was not done simply by ignorance or by accident.

Dr Welsh said that the Rights of Way Bill did allow for amendment: "We and other authorities want to achieve the best of both worlds." He agreed with Mr Collier that they would need to take a precautionary approach, with a programme of education, possibly with strategically placed notices, leaflets at outdoor centres or via the internet, but it was early days yet.

As well as protecting rare bird species, the designation would help ensure there was money available to aid farmers and grouse moor owners who managed their land sympathetically. This would come through such areas as the agri-environment scheme, an increase in the countryside stewardship scheme, a pot of money English Nature had for wildlife enhancement, and opportunities to apply for European money for specific projects under the Life programme. It would also give clearer power to prevent damaging development.

Mr Collier listed the SSSIs included in the SPA; saying farmers had been given the opportunity to comment. "There do not seem to be any changes following consultation," he added.

Those listed are: West Nidderdale; Barden and Blubberhouses Moors; East Nidderdale; Lovely Seat-Stainton moor; Arkengarthdale; Gunnerside and Reeth Moors; Mallerstang-Swaledale Head; Allendale moors; Bollihope, Pikestone, Egglestone and Woodland fells; Bowes moor; Cotherstone Moors; Geltsdale and Glendue Fells; Hexhamshire Moors; Lune Forest; Muggleswick, Stanhope and Edmundbyers commons and Blanchland moor; Moor House and Cross Fell; Upper Teesdale; Whitfield moor; Plenmeller and Asholme commons