*Please note some sections maybe blank if no data is relevant
As part of our commitment to continually improve our service and to help our clients meet their legal obligations, we continue to update the Legal Registers on our website and provide free quarterly legal compliance updates to anyone who subscribes. The purpose of these updates is to ensure you stay up to date with any changes in your legal compliance obligations, our updates can also be kept and can be used as evidence that your business is staying up to date with any changes in the legislation, this can be very helpful at audit time.
The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is an Act of Parliament implemented to comply with European Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds. In short, the act gives protection to native species (especially those at threat), controls the release of non-native species, enhances the protection of Sites of Special Scientific Interest and builds upon the rights of way rules in the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.
This Act aims to protect wild birds, plants, animals, areas of nature conservation and public rights of way. The Act forms the basis of most statutory wildlife protection in the UK.
Part I deals with the protection of birds, animals and plants.
Part II is concerned mainly with the designation and protection of areas of nature conservation and Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The Act makes it an offence (subject to exceptions) to intentionally kill, injure, or take, possess, or trade-in any wild animal listed in Schedule 5, and prohibits interference with places used for shelter or protection, or intentionally disturbing animals occupying such places.
The Act also prohibits certain methods of killing, injuring, or taking wild animals. The Act aims to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica). It is illegal to plant or otherwise encourage its growth.
The Regulations amend the definition of "wild bird" in section 27 of the Act which now includes any species which is ordinarily resident in or is a visitor to the European Territory of any member State. Regulation 3 makes consequential changes to the defence provided under section 1(3) of the Act. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedule 5) (England) Order 2008 adds 4 new species to Schedule5 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (WCA) and extends the current protection afforded to the water vole. Exceptions to these prohibitions may be authorised by a license issued under section 16 of the WCA by Natural England.
The company must ensure that any work carried out follows this regulation and does not affect the habitat of the surrounding wildlife.
Exemptions occur in circumstances of protection, accident or "act of kindness" for animals. Also, there are exemptions outside of the "closed period" with respect to killing certain animals. Other exemptions also apply as listed in the full legislation.
*Please refer to the Terms and Conditions in our footer.
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by AvISO, and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is, therefore, strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage, including, without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website, you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of AvISO. We have no control over the nature, content, and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, AvISO takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
In addition, the legal texts identified on this website do not represent all the legislation published in relation to the relevant topic areas. AvISO Consultancy selects the legislation which it believes will apply to the organisations and industries with which it is engaged. In addition, there may be some instances where new legislation or amendments to current legislation are introduced, but there is a slight delay between the introduction of that legislation and the availability of it on this website. AvISO Consultancy does not take responsibility for the accuracy of any information provided and would recommend that you take appropriate legal advice in relation to any legislation which is relevant to your organisation, as appropriate. In addition, the content of our webpages does not replace each organisation’s duty to be aware of and comply with the legal requirements applicable to their operations.
Including our quarterly legal compliance updates that are a great resource for evidence for your ISO audits.
If you would like to know more about ISO Standards, Certification and the value of a good management system you can add to your business we would love to hear from you: Kent: 01892 800476 | London: 02037 458 476 | info@avisoconsultancy.co.uk
