It is a criminal offence to kill or injure wild animals listed in Schedule 5 of the Wild Fauna and Flora Act 1981, and it is also a criminal offence to intentionally or recklessly damage or obstruct any place used for their protection or protection. Some of the protected species are squirrels, bats, voles, sand lizards and toads. If you witness a suspected wildlife crime in action, call 999 immediately. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 for England and Wales amends the Nature Conservation and Wildlife Protection Act and makes a number of amendments to the provisions of the Wildlife and Land Act to better protect SSSIs. It also provides for public access to rural areas in England and Wales – the right to free movement. The CROW Act obliges the National Ministries and National Assembly for Wales to consider the conservation of biodiversity and to promote the conservation activities of others. Section 74 of the Act requires the establishment and maintenance of priority species and habitats. It also imposes a legal obligation on public bodies to maintain SSSIs and increase their value, and gives the English Nature and Rural Council of Wales the power to impose management systems on the owners of SSSIs. The CROW Act also strengthens the legal protection of endangered species with respect to the killing, injury, disturbance or destruction of places used for protection and protection. There is also specific and separate legislation concerning deer, seals and badgers, as well as general laws such as the Sea Fisheries (Wildlife Conservation) Act 1992 and the Wild Mammal Protection Act 1996. This legislation provides some protection for individuals of all species of wild mammals.
At its core, it is an animal welfare law and not a law that deals specifically with nature conservation. All mammals are protected from intentional cruelty by this act. So, for example, if someone kicks a hedgehog, they are committing a crime under this law. Of course, there are some exceptions, such as mercy killings; any hunting, shooting or legal pursuit; or any legal pest control. Some mammals such as badgers, grey seals and wild deer have their own laws. It is important to remember that even with a building permit, individuals are not exempt from wildlife legislation. There are many examples of architects, contractors, builders and others who come into conflict with the law regarding protected species. Offences are often committed because of ignorance of the relevant legislation and the responsibilities that flow from it.
Even those who try to ensure they comply with the law can get into trouble if employees or contractors don`t understand or comply with legal requirements. Other UK legislation Several species are to be controlled under the Agricultural Act 1947, the Agricultural Act (Scotland) (1948), the Forestry Act 1967 and the Rabies (Control) Order 1974. These laws can be requested from the HMSO. The Deer Act 1991 (England and Wales) and the Deer Act 1996 (Scotland) set out the seasons and methods of killing deer. In Northern Ireland, wildlife is primarily protected by the Wildlife (NI) Order 1985. The Environmental Protection Regulation (NI) of 2003 provides for the protection of sites of scientific interest (equivalent to SSSI). Also in Northern Ireland, trees are protected by the Planning (Trees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 and the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991. These regulations translate the EU Habitats and Species Directives into the details of English law.
The regulation entered into force on 30 October 1994 and was subsequently amended. The regulation, which consists of five parts and four lists, provides for the designation and protection of “European sites”, the protection of “European protected species” and the adaptation of planning and other controls to protect European territories. The Badger Protection Act 1992 consolidated existing legislation to protect badgers. This law aims to prevent the persecution of badgers. The law protects both individual badgers and their ensembles. The protection of SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), which is already established in the Wildlife and Rural Act, is strengthened by this legislation. The law also allows for the prosecution of third parties who damage or destroy an SSSI. As a general rule, proceedings must be initiated within six months of the prosecutor`s possession of the evidence that he considers to justify the prosecution. They may not be submitted more than two years after the date of the offence. The maximum penalty for most wildlife crimes is six months in prison and a fine of up to £5,000. The court may also order the offender to bear or participate in the costs of prosecution.
[8] This Act protects all species of wild mammals and is an animal welfare law rather than a conservation law. Im spät 19. In the nineteenth century, the first nature conservation laws were passed and the first nature conservation societies were founded. The Sea Birds Preservation Act 1869 was passed in Britain as the world`s first nature conservation law[9] after intensive lobbying by the Seabird Conservation Association. [10] The National Trust was founded in 1895 with the manifesto.” promote the permanent preservation of countries for the benefit of the nation, . preserve their natural appearance (as much as possible). On 1 May 1899, thanks to a gift from amateur naturalist Charles Rothschild, the Trust purchased two acres of Fen vetches, creating Britain`s first nature reserve. [13] Rothschild was a pioneer of conservation in Britain and founded many other nature reserves, such as Woodwalton Fen near Huntingdon in 1910. During his lifetime, he built and managed his estate at Ashton would[15] in Northamptonshire to maximise his aptitude for wildlife, particularly butterflies.[14] Concerned about the loss of wildlife habitat, he founded the Society for the Promotion of Nature Reserves in 1912, the forerunner of the Wildlife Trusts. In this report, we recommend replacing the patchwork of existing laws with a single statute. The new Act consolidates the Wildlife Protection, Control and Management Act to make it more coherent, understandable and simpler.
The status reflects relevant EU directives and international conventions, as well as national policies on wildlife protection, and provides a legal framework based on lists of protected and controlled species and prohibited behaviour. The British population of crested newts is one of the largest in Europe, although it has suffered significant declines over the past century, mainly due to the loss of habitats such as agricultural ponds.