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Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 - Wikipedia

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id="toc-Part_II:_Nature_Conservation,_Countryside_&amp;_National_Parks-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Part_III:_Public_Rights_of_Way" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Part_III:_Public_Rights_of_Way"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.3</span> <span>Part III: Public Rights of Way</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Part_III:_Public_Rights_of_Way-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Part_IV:_Miscellaneous_&amp;_General" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Part_IV:_Miscellaneous_&amp;_General"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.4</span> <span>Part IV: Miscellaneous &amp; General</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Part_IV:_Miscellaneous_&amp;_General-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Schedules" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Schedules"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.5</span> <span>Schedules</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Schedules-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Amendments" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Amendments"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.6</span> <span>Amendments</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Amendments-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Main_amendments_to_the_Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Main_amendments_to_the_Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.6.1</span> <span>Main amendments to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Main_amendments_to_the_Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Amendments_from_following_legislation" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Amendments_from_following_legislation"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.6.2</span> <span>Amendments from following legislation</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Amendments_from_following_legislation-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Regulators" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Regulators"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3</span> <span>Regulators</span> </div> </a> <button aria-controls="toc-Regulators-sublist" class="cdx-button cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only vector-toc-toggle"> <span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-expand"></span> <span>Toggle Regulators subsection</span> </button> <ul id="toc-Regulators-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Regulated_by_Natural_England" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Regulated_by_Natural_England"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3.1</span> <span>Regulated by Natural England</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Regulated_by_Natural_England-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Regulated_by_Natural_Resources_Wales_and_Scottish_Natural_Heritage" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Regulated_by_Natural_Resources_Wales_and_Scottish_Natural_Heritage"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3.2</span> <span>Regulated by Natural Resources Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Regulated_by_Natural_Resources_Wales_and_Scottish_Natural_Heritage-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Regulated_by_the_police" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Regulated_by_the_police"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3.3</span> <span>Regulated by the police</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Regulated_by_the_police-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Regulated_by_the_Environment_Agency" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Regulated_by_the_Environment_Agency"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3.4</span> <span>Regulated by the Environment Agency</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Regulated_by_the_Environment_Agency-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Regulated_by_local_authorities" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Regulated_by_local_authorities"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3.5</span> <span>Regulated by local authorities</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Regulated_by_local_authorities-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Monitored_by" 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class="vector-toc-numb">4.1</span> <span>Land owners and occupiers</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Land_owners_and_occupiers-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Public_bodies/industry" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Public_bodies/industry"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">4.2</span> <span>Public bodies/industry</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Public_bodies/industry-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Any_person" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Any_person"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">4.3</span> <span>Any person</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Any_person-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Penalties" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Penalties"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">5</span> <span>Penalties</span> </div> </a> <button aria-controls="toc-Penalties-sublist" class="cdx-button cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only vector-toc-toggle"> <span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-expand"></span> <span>Toggle Penalties subsection</span> </button> <ul id="toc-Penalties-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Exemptions" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Exemptions"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">5.1</span> <span>Exemptions</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Exemptions-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Exemptions_to_Part_1:_Wildlife" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Exemptions_to_Part_1:_Wildlife"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">5.1.1</span> <span>Exemptions to Part 1: Wildlife</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Exemptions_to_Part_1:_Wildlife-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Variations" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Variations"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">6</span> <span>Variations</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Variations-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-References" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#References"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">7</span> <span>References</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-References-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-External_links" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#External_links"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">8</span> <span>External links</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-External_links-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </div> 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<div id="mw-content-text" class="mw-body-content"><div class="mw-content-ltr mw-parser-output" lang="en" dir="ltr"><p class="mw-empty-elt"> </p> <div class="shortdescription nomobile noexcerpt noprint searchaux" style="display:none">United Kingdom legislation</div><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1257001546">.mw-parser-output .infobox-subbox{padding:0;border:none;margin:-3px;width:auto;min-width:100%;font-size:100%;clear:none;float:none;background-color:transparent}.mw-parser-output .infobox-3cols-child{margin:auto}.mw-parser-output .infobox .navbar{font-size:100%}@media screen{html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .infobox-full-data:not(.notheme)>div:not(.notheme)[style]{background:#1f1f23!important;color:#f8f9fa}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .infobox-full-data:not(.notheme) div:not(.notheme){background:#1f1f23!important;color:#f8f9fa}}@media(min-width:640px){body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table{display:table!important}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table>caption{display:table-caption!important}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table>tbody{display:table-row-group}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table tr{display:table-row!important}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table th,body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table td{padding-left:inherit;padding-right:inherit}}</style><table class="infobox vevent"><caption class="infobox-title summary">Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981</caption><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-subheader" style="font-weight: bold;">Act of Parliament</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-image"><span typeof="mw:File"><span><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5f/Coat_of_arms_of_the_United_Kingdom_%282022%2C_variant_1%29.svg/140px-Coat_of_arms_of_the_United_Kingdom_%282022%2C_variant_1%29.svg.png" decoding="async" width="140" height="140" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5f/Coat_of_arms_of_the_United_Kingdom_%282022%2C_variant_1%29.svg/210px-Coat_of_arms_of_the_United_Kingdom_%282022%2C_variant_1%29.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5f/Coat_of_arms_of_the_United_Kingdom_%282022%2C_variant_1%29.svg/280px-Coat_of_arms_of_the_United_Kingdom_%282022%2C_variant_1%29.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1550" data-file-height="1550" /></span></span><div class="infobox-caption"><a href="/wiki/Parliament_of_the_United_Kingdom" title="Parliament of the United Kingdom">Parliament of the United Kingdom</a></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><a href="/wiki/Short_and_long_titles" title="Short and long titles">Long title</a></th><td class="infobox-data description">An Act to repeal and re-enact with amendments the Protection of Birds Acts 1954 to 1967 and the Conservation of Wild Creatures and Wild Plants Act 1975; to prohibit certain methods of killing or taking wild animals; to amend the law relating to protection of certain mammals; to restrict the introduction of certain animals and plants; to amend the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1976; to amend the law relating to nature conservation, the countryside and National Parks and to make provision with respect to the Countryside Commission; to amend the law relating to public rights of way; and for connected purposes.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><span class="nowrap">Territorial extent&#160;</span></th><td class="infobox-data">England &amp; Wales; Scotland</td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="border-top: 1px solid #aaa;">Other legislation</th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Repeals/revokes</th><td class="infobox-data"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1126788409">.mw-parser-output .plainlist ol,.mw-parser-output .plainlist ul{line-height:inherit;list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0}.mw-parser-output .plainlist ol li,.mw-parser-output .plainlist ul li{margin-bottom:0}</style><div class="plainlist"><ul style="margin-left:1em;text-indent:-1em;"><li><a href="/w/index.php?title=Protection_of_Birds_Act_1954_(Amendment)_Act_1964&amp;action=edit&amp;redlink=1" class="new" title="Protection of Birds Act 1954 (Amendment) Act 1964 (page does not exist)">Protection of Birds Act 1954 (Amendment) Act 1964</a></li><li><a href="/w/index.php?title=Protection_of_Birds_Act_1967&amp;action=edit&amp;redlink=1" class="new" title="Protection of Birds Act 1967 (page does not exist)">Protection of Birds Act 1967</a></li><li><a href="/w/index.php?title=Conservation_of_Wild_Creatures_and_Wild_Plants_Act_1975&amp;action=edit&amp;redlink=1" class="new" title="Conservation of Wild Creatures and Wild Plants Act 1975 (page does not exist)">Conservation of Wild Creatures and Wild Plants Act 1975</a></li></ul></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Amended by</th><td class="infobox-data">The Environment Act 1995 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 1996</td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="border-top: 1px solid #aaa;"><div style="background-color: #ffffcc;">Status: Amended</div></th></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="border-top: 1px solid #aaa;"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/69/enacted">Text of statute as originally enacted</a></th></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="border-top: 1px solid #aaa;"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/69">Revised text of statute as amended</a></th></tr></tbody></table> <p>The <b>Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981</b> is an <a href="/wiki/Act_of_Parliament" class="mw-redirect" title="Act of Parliament">Act of Parliament</a> in the <a href="/wiki/United_Kingdom" title="United Kingdom">United Kingdom</a> implemented to comply with European Council <a href="/wiki/Birds_Directive" title="Birds Directive">Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds</a>. In short, the act gives protection to native species (especially those at threat), controls the release of non-native species, enhances the protection of <a href="/wiki/Site_of_Special_Scientific_Interest" title="Site of Special Scientific Interest">Sites of Special Scientific Interest</a> and builds upon the rights of way rules in the <a href="/wiki/National_Parks_and_Access_to_the_Countryside_Act_1949" title="National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949">National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949</a>. The Act is split into 4 parts covering 74 sections; it also includes 17 schedules. </p><p>The legislation has strength; few amendments have been made to it, and it has acted as a foundation for later legislation to build upon. The compulsory 5 year review of schedules 5 and 8 make it dynamic in terms of the species which it protects. </p> <meta property="mw:PageProp/toc" /> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="History">History</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=1" title="Edit section: History"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Wild_Birds_Protection_Act_1902">Wild Birds Protection Act 1902</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=2" title="Edit section: Wild Birds Protection Act 1902"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <div class="shortdescription nomobile noexcerpt noprint searchaux" style="display:none">United Kingdom legislation</div><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1257001546"><table class="infobox vevent mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tbody><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-above summary" style="font-size:100%"><span style="font-size:125%">Wild Birds Protection Act 1902</span></th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-subheader" style="font-weight: bold;">Act of Parliament</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-image"><span typeof="mw:File"><span><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/95/Coat_of_arms_of_the_United_Kingdom_%281901-1952%29.svg/140px-Coat_of_arms_of_the_United_Kingdom_%281901-1952%29.svg.png" decoding="async" width="140" height="139" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/95/Coat_of_arms_of_the_United_Kingdom_%281901-1952%29.svg/210px-Coat_of_arms_of_the_United_Kingdom_%281901-1952%29.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/95/Coat_of_arms_of_the_United_Kingdom_%281901-1952%29.svg/280px-Coat_of_arms_of_the_United_Kingdom_%281901-1952%29.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1495" data-file-height="1482" /></span></span><div class="infobox-caption"><a href="/wiki/Parliament_of_the_United_Kingdom" title="Parliament of the United Kingdom">Parliament of the United Kingdom</a></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><a href="/wiki/Short_and_long_titles" title="Short and long titles">Long title</a></th><td class="infobox-data description">An Act to amend the Wild Birds Protection Acts.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><a href="/wiki/Citation_of_United_Kingdom_legislation" title="Citation of United Kingdom legislation">Citation</a></th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/2_Edw._7" class="mw-redirect" title="2 Edw. 7">2 Edw. 7</a>. c. 6</td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="border-top: 1px solid #aaa;">Dates</th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><a href="/wiki/Royal_assent" title="Royal assent">Royal assent</a></th><td class="infobox-data">22 July 1902</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Repealed</th><td class="infobox-data dtend">1954</td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="border-top: 1px solid #aaa;">Other legislation</th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><a href="/wiki/Repeal" title="Repeal">Repealed by</a></th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/w/index.php?title=Protection_of_Birds_Act_1954&amp;action=edit&amp;redlink=1" class="new" title="Protection of Birds Act 1954 (page does not exist)">Protection of Birds Act 1954</a></td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="border-top: 1px solid #aaa;"><div style="background-color: #ffcccc;">Status: Repealed</div></th></tr></tbody></table> <p>The <b>Wild Birds Protection Act 1902</b> (<a href="/wiki/2_Edw._7" class="mw-redirect" title="2 Edw. 7">2 Edw. 7</a>. c. 6) was an <a href="/wiki/Act_of_Parliament" class="mw-redirect" title="Act of Parliament">Act of Parliament</a> of the <a href="/wiki/Parliament_of_the_United_Kingdom" title="Parliament of the United Kingdom">Parliament of the United Kingdom</a>, given the royal assent on 22 July 1902 and repealed in 1954. </p><p>It provided that where any person was convicted of an offence against the Wild Birds Protection Acts 1880 to 1896 (the 1880, 1881, 1894 and 1896 Acts), the court was empowered to dispose of any bird or bird's egg in respect of which the offence had been committed.<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-1"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-2"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup> </p><p>The Act was repealed and replaced by the <a href="/w/index.php?title=Protection_of_Birds_Act_1954&amp;action=edit&amp;redlink=1" class="new" title="Protection of Birds Act 1954 (page does not exist)">Protection of Birds Act 1954</a>. <b>Bird sanctuary orders</b> (BSOs) under this Act were replaced by <b>Areas of Special Protection</b> (AoSPs) under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-3"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Birds_Directive">Birds Directive</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=3" title="Edit section: Birds Directive"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The 1979 <a href="/wiki/Bern_Convention_on_the_Conservation_of_European_Wildlife_and_Natural_Habitats" class="mw-redirect" title="Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats">Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats</a> covered the <a href="/wiki/Natural_heritage" title="Natural heritage">natural heritage</a> of Europe, as well as in some African countries. It encouraged European co-operation in protecting natural habitats; and the conservation of flora and fauna, including migratory species and particularly <a href="/wiki/Endangered_species" title="Endangered species">endangered species</a>. </p><p>The convention became open for signature on 19 September 1979 as a binding international legal instrument; it came into force on 1 June 1982. The UK ratified the convention and adopted the European Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds (among other directives).<sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-4"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup> </p><p><a href="/wiki/European_Directive_79/409/EC" class="mw-redirect" title="European Directive 79/409/EC">European Directive 79/409/EC</a> on the Conservation of Wild Birds was adopted on 2 April 1979. The main provisions included: protection of vulnerable species; classification of <a href="/wiki/Special_Protection_Areas" class="mw-redirect" title="Special Protection Areas">Special Protection Areas</a>, protection for all wild birds; and restrictions on killing/selling/keeping wild birds.<sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-5"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>5<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup> </p><p>From 1981 several acts have passed as UK legislation to comply with the European Directive on the Conservation.<sup id="cite_ref-6" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-6"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>6<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup> The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 strengthened protection of SSSIs introduced by the <a href="/wiki/National_Parks_and_Access_to_the_Countryside_Act_1949" title="National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949">National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949</a>. The pre-dated acts: </p> <ul><li>Protection of Birds Acts of 1954, 1964 and 1967</li> <li><a href="/w/index.php?title=Conservation_of_Wild_Creatures_and_Wild_Plants_Act_1975&amp;action=edit&amp;redlink=1" class="new" title="Conservation of Wild Creatures and Wild Plants Act 1975 (page does not exist)">Conservation of Wild Creatures and Wild Plants Act 1975</a></li></ul> <p>were repealed by the passing of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-7"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>7<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup> </p><p>The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 came into force in 1982. In 1985 the UK ratified the Bonn <a href="/wiki/Convention_on_the_Conservation_of_Migratory_Species_of_Wild_Animals" title="Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals">Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals</a> (1979). Adopted in Bonn, West Germany in 1979 and coming into force in 1985, the Bonn Convention worked to conserve migratory species and their habitats. Listed in Appendix I are species which are endangered, Appendix II contains species which would benefit from international cooperation. </p><p>Appendix 1 migratory species listed in the convention were amended into the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. </p><p>Further UK legislation to comply with the European Directive on the Conservation include: </p> <ul><li>Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 (which contains broadly equivalent provisions to the 1981 Act in respect of Northern Ireland)</li> <li>Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands Order 1985</li> <li>Conservation Regulations 1995</li> <li>Offshore Marine Conservation Regulations 2007</li> <li>Conservation Regulations 2010</li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Overview">Overview</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=4" title="Edit section: Overview"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Part_I:_Wildlife">Part I: Wildlife</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=5" title="Edit section: Part I: Wildlife"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Part I includes sections 1 to 27 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers: </p> <ul><li>Protection of wild birds, their eggs and nests</li> <li>Protection of other animals</li> <li>Protection of plants</li> <li>Miscellaneous <ul><li>Introduction into the wild of species that are not native to Great Britain or are otherwise banned (Section 14): a list of affected animal and plant species was greatly expanded in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedule 9) (England and Wales) Order 2010</li> <li>The import or export of endangered species.</li></ul></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Part_II:_Nature_Conservation,_Countryside_&amp;_National_Parks"><span id="Part_II:_Nature_Conservation.2C_Countryside_.26_National_Parks"></span>Part II: Nature Conservation, Countryside &amp; National Parks</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=6" title="Edit section: Part II: Nature Conservation, Countryside &amp; National Parks"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Part II includes sections 28 to 52 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers: </p> <ul><li>Nature conservation <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Sites_of_Special_Scientific_Interest" class="mw-redirect" title="Sites of Special Scientific Interest">Sites of Special Scientific Interest</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Limestone_pavement" title="Limestone pavement">Limestone pavements</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/National_nature_reserve_(United_Kingdom)" title="National nature reserve (United Kingdom)">National nature reserves</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Marine_nature_reserve" title="Marine nature reserve">Marine nature reserves</a></li></ul></li> <li>Countryside</li> <li><a href="/wiki/National_parks_of_the_United_Kingdom" title="National parks of the United Kingdom">National parks</a></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Part_III:_Public_Rights_of_Way">Part III: Public Rights of Way</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=7" title="Edit section: Part III: Public Rights of Way"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Part III includes sections 53 to 66 of the Act. Building on the <a href="/wiki/National_Parks_and_Access_to_the_Countryside_Act_1949" title="National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949">National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949</a> which required local authorities to draw up maps defining public rights of way. </p> <ul><li>Ascertainment of public rights of way <ul><li>The duties of government bodies to identify, maintain and update records about Public Rights of Way and to keep maps showing rights of way under continuous review.</li></ul></li> <li>Updating and changing public rights of way <ul><li>Updating may be required after the following: <ol><li>diversion of a highway</li> <li>extension of a highway</li> <li>widening of a highway</li> <li>stopping of a highway</li> <li>addition of a highway</li> <li>removal of a highway</li> <li>change in position of public path or traffic byway</li> <li>implementation of restrictions to public right of way</li></ol></li> <li>Rights of way are maintained at public expense.</li> <li>An up-to-date map act as evidence that the public has right of way in relevant way (i.e. by foot on footpaths or on horseback on bridleways).</li> <li>Changes of right of way requires a survey or review by the local surveying authority</li></ul></li> <li>Miscellaneous &amp; Supplemental <ul><li>Some responsibilities of owners of land crossed by a Public Right of Way</li> <li>Regulation of traffic on Public Rights of Way</li></ul></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Part_IV:_Miscellaneous_&amp;_General"><span id="Part_IV:_Miscellaneous_.26_General"></span>Part IV: Miscellaneous &amp; General</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=8" title="Edit section: Part IV: Miscellaneous &amp; General"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Part IV includes sections 67 to 74 of the Act. The legislation contained in these sections covers: </p> <ul><li>Application of the Act to Crown land</li> <li>Application of the Act to the Isles of Scilly</li> <li>Offences by 'bodies corporate'</li> <li>Financial provisions</li> <li>Definitions <ul><li>"public path" means a footpath or bridleway.</li> <li>"footpath" allows the public to use highway on foot.</li> <li>"bridleway" allows the public to use highway on foot or bicycle, leading a horse or riding a horse.</li> <li>"byway open to all traffic" allows public to use highway for vehicles, on foot, leading a horse or riding a horse</li> <li>"recognised dairy breed" means Ayrshire, British Friesian, British Holstein, Dairy Shorthorn, Guernsey, Jersey and Kerry.</li> <li>"relevant conservation body" means Natural England or Countryside Council for Wales</li></ul></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Schedules">Schedules</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=9" title="Edit section: Schedules"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The Act contains 17 schedules. </p> <ul><li>Schedules 1 to 10 relate to powers under the "Wildlife" part of the Act. Schedule 1 lists over forty species of birds that are protected by special penalties. Schedule 2 lists Huntable birds and their close seasons.<sup id="cite_ref-8" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-8"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>8<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li> <li>Schedules 11 to 13 relate to powers under Part II of the Act</li> <li>Schedules 14 to 16 relate to powers under Part III of the Act</li> <li>Schedule 17 lists previous legislation that was repealed in favour of this Act.</li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Amendments">Amendments</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=10" title="Edit section: Amendments"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>There have been a few simple amendments to the Wildlife and Countryside Act, such as word changes, increase in fines, etc. Every 5 years the JNCC coordinates a compulsory review of schedules 5 and 8 to add new species that may need protection.<sup id="cite_ref-legislation2010_9-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-legislation2010-9"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>9<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup> </p><p>A secretary of state can add or remove species at any time.<sup id="cite_ref-legislation2010_9-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-legislation2010-9"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>9<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Main_amendments_to_the_Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981">Main amendments to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=11" title="Edit section: Main amendments to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li>1985: Makes it necessary for local authorities to use Countryside Commission guidelines in deciding whether area with natural beauty are important to conserve. Amendments were made to SSSI documentation, notification periods and maintenance of registers.<sup id="cite_ref-legislation2010_9-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-legislation2010-9"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>9<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li> <li>1991: Amendment making it an offence to knowingly cause or permit to cause actions listed in sections 5 and 11.<sup id="cite_ref-rspca2004_10-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-rspca2004-10"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>10<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li> <li>1995: Restricts licenses issued to control wild birds in order to reduce damage to crops, livestock, etc.<sup id="cite_ref-rspca2004_10-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-rspca2004-10"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>10<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li> <li>1998: Variation of schedules 5 and 8; for example, Flamingo Moss (Desmatodon cernuus) was added to schedule 8 as well as 17 other species.<sup id="cite_ref-legislation2010_9-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-legislation2010-9"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>9<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li> <li>1999: Variation of schedule 9; several species of deer were added to schedule 9.<sup id="cite_ref-legislation2010_9-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-legislation2010-9"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>9<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li> <li>2004: Minor amendments of various words.<sup id="cite_ref-legislation2010_9-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-legislation2010-9"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>9<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Amendments_from_following_legislation">Amendments from following legislation</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=12" title="Edit section: Amendments from following legislation"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li>1990: The <a href="/wiki/Environmental_Protection_Act_1990" title="Environmental Protection Act 1990">Environmental Protection Act 1990</a> established <a href="/wiki/English_Nature" title="English Nature">English Nature</a> and the <a href="/wiki/Joint_Nature_Conservation_Committee" title="Joint Nature Conservation Committee">Joint Nature Conservation Committee</a>. JNCC made responsible for producing guidelines for SSSI selection.</li> <li>1994: Conservation Regulations 1994. Built on Part I protecting habitats and species by implementing the requirement to assess plans/projects that will impact on European Protected Species.</li> <li>2000: The <a href="/wiki/Countryside_and_Rights_of_Way_Act_2000" title="Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000">Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000</a> strengthened protection of SSSIs; by increased English Nature's enforcement power (allowed to combat neglect, prevent damaging activity, make public bodies responsible for conservation and enhancement of SSSIs) and increasing penalties for damage to a maximum of £20,000 per offence (along with court power to order restoration if damage occurs). Improved public rights of way giving people access to mountain, moor, heath, down and registered common land.</li> <li>2006: The <a href="/wiki/Natural_Environment_and_Rural_Communities_Act_2006" title="Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006">Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006</a> merged English Nature and the <a href="/wiki/Countryside_Agency" title="Countryside Agency">Countryside Agency</a> to create <a href="/wiki/Natural_England" title="Natural England">Natural England</a>. Introduced new offences involving the intentional and reckless damage of SSSIs.</li> <li>2009: The <a href="/wiki/Marine_and_Coastal_Access_Act_2009" title="Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009">Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009</a> allowed the creation of marine conservation zones and with the consent of the secretary of state, the creation of SSSIs below mean low water mark.<sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-11"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>11<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li> <li>2011: The <a href="/wiki/Wildlife_and_Natural_Environment_(Scotland)_Act_2011" title="Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011">Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011</a> made some major amendments with regard to control of non-native species, the protection of birds, protection of hares and rabbits and associated poaching.</li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Regulators">Regulators</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=13" title="Edit section: Regulators"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Regulated_by_Natural_England">Regulated by Natural England</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=14" title="Edit section: Regulated by Natural England"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>As well as being a regulator of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Natural England acts as an advisor (to individuals, companies, government, etc.) in relation to nature conservation. Additionally Natural England helps with land management through grants, projects and information. </p><p>Legally responsible for <a href="/wiki/Site_of_Special_Scientific_Interest" title="Site of Special Scientific Interest">Sites of Special Scientific Interest</a> (SSSIs) and enforce law when necessary. Damage, destruction or disturbance of SSSI habitats and features can lead to the following actions by Natural England: </p> <ul><li>information: awareness and education can stop harmful activities<sup id="cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-naturalengland2007-12"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li> <li>warning letters: request harmful activity to stop and request agreement for restoration<sup id="cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-naturalengland2007-12"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li> <li>formal investigations: collection of evidence by trained investigators following legal evidence requirements<sup id="cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-naturalengland2007-12"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li> <li>cautions: if prosecution is not an appropriate action then a caution is issued if necessary evidence has been collected (to have a good chance of conviction)<sup id="cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-naturalengland2007-12"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li> <li>prosecution: only occurs when evidence collected makes conviction reasonably certain or where prosecution is in the public interest. Natural England always try to recover costs and publicise prosecutions to the press. Specific penalties are applied, consideration of profit gained from offence is considered and often added to fines, application for a formal restoration order is made making the offender responsible for restoration of SSSI (at offender's expense).<sup id="cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-naturalengland2007-12"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li> <li>civil action: in most serious cases where all other options have been explored, Natural England can take civil action to claim possession of SSSIs under serious threat.<sup id="cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-naturalengland2007-12"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Regulated_by_Natural_Resources_Wales_and_Scottish_Natural_Heritage">Regulated by Natural Resources Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=15" title="Edit section: Regulated by Natural Resources Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Similar responsibilities to Natural England, but responsible in Wales and Scotland, respectively. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Regulated_by_the_police">Regulated by the police</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=16" title="Edit section: Regulated by the police"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Within the police there are several aspects to regulating wildlife crime; intelligence, enforcement and prevention.<sup id="cite_ref-13" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-13"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>13<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup> </p><p>The police are responsible for enforcing part I of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, often advised by Natural England<sup id="cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-6" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-naturalengland2007-12"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup> and will investigate wildlife offences; usually performed by wildlife crime officers (WCOs). </p><p>The <a href="/wiki/National_Wildlife_Crime_Unit" title="National Wildlife Crime Unit">National Wildlife Crime Unit</a> (NWCU) is a law enforcement unit which helps agencies with enforcement. Wildlife crime investigations, statistics and intelligence are provided. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Regulated_by_the_Environment_Agency">Regulated by the Environment Agency</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=17" title="Edit section: Regulated by the Environment Agency"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The <a href="/wiki/Environment_Agency" title="Environment Agency">Environment Agency</a> deal with reports from the public in relation to wildlife crime; under duties to prosecute environmental crimes, offences such as damage to habitats and wildlife are included. The EA work closely with the RSPB and wildlife crime officers.<sup id="cite_ref-environmentlaw2010_14-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-environmentlaw2010-14"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>14<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Regulated_by_local_authorities">Regulated by local authorities</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=18" title="Edit section: Regulated by local authorities"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Local authorities (e.g. Southampton City Council) are responsible for regulating public rights of way and enforcing rights of way legislation.<sup id="cite_ref-legislation2010_9-6" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-legislation2010-9"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>9<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup> Issues such as obstructions and misleading signs are usually reported by members of the public and then are dealt with by the local authority.<sup id="cite_ref-southamptoncitycouncil2009_15-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-southamptoncitycouncil2009-15"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>15<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Monitored_by">Monitored by</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=19" title="Edit section: Monitored by"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li>Regulatory bodies (mentioned above).</li> <li>NGOs; the RSPB and RSPCA work with the police to prevent and identify wildlife crime.<sup id="cite_ref-environmentlaw2010_14-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-environmentlaw2010-14"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>14<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li> <li>General public.</li> <li>The <a href="/w/index.php?title=Partnership_for_Action_against_Wildlife_Crime&amp;action=edit&amp;redlink=1" class="new" title="Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime (page does not exist)">Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime</a> (PAW)- a multi-agency body which encourages both statutory and NGO organisations to work together in the combat of wildlife crime.<sup id="cite_ref-16" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-16"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>16<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Offences">Offences</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=20" title="Edit section: Offences"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Land_owners_and_occupiers">Land owners and occupiers</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=21" title="Edit section: Land owners and occupiers"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li>Failing to comply with the restrictions on methods to kill animals and birds (see Part I: Wildlife for further details).</li> <li>Killing, injuring a wild bird or animal, damaging or destroying the nest/shelter of a wild bird or animal (see Part I: Wildlife for further details).</li> <li>Removing any native plant (see Part I: Wildlife for further details).</li> <li>Carrying out, causing or allowing operations likely to damage an SSSI without consent.</li> <li>Failing to keep to a management notice.</li> <li>Failing to let the national conservation body know about a change in ownership or occupation of land in an SSSI"<sup id="cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-7" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-naturalengland2007-12"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li> <li>Failing to maintain public rights of way; removing obstructions, surfacing, maintaining safe and easy to use access points.<sup id="cite_ref-southamptoncitycouncil2009_15-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-southamptoncitycouncil2009-15"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>15<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Public_bodies/industry"><span id="Public_bodies.2Findustry"></span>Public bodies/industry</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=22" title="Edit section: Public bodies/industry"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li>Failing to comply with the restrictions on methods to kill animals and birds (see Part I: Wildlife for further details).<sup id="cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-8" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-naturalengland2007-12"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li> <li>Killing, injuring a wild bird or animal, damaging or destroying the nest/shelter of a wild bird or animal (see Part I: Wildlife for further details).<sup id="cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-9" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-naturalengland2007-12"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li> <li>Removing any native plant (see Part I: Wildlife for further details).<sup id="cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-10" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-naturalengland2007-12"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li> <li>Release of non native species into the environment (see Part I: Wildlife for further details).<sup id="cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-11" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-naturalengland2007-12"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li> <li>Carrying out or authorising operations likely to damage an SSSI without meeting the requirements to notify Natural England.<sup id="cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-12" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-naturalengland2007-12"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li> <li>Failing to minimise any damage to an SSSI and if there is any damage, failing to restore it to its former state so far as is reasonably practical and possible."<sup id="cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-13" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-naturalengland2007-12"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Any_person">Any person</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=23" title="Edit section: Any person"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li>Failing to comply with the restrictions on methods to kill animals and birds (see Part I: Wildlife for further details).<sup id="cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-14" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-naturalengland2007-12"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li> <li>Killing, injuring a wild bird or animal, damaging or destroying the nest/shelter of a wild bird or animal (see Part I: Wildlife for further details).<sup id="cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-15" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-naturalengland2007-12"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li> <li>Removing any native plant (see Part I: Wildlife for further details).<sup id="cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-16" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-naturalengland2007-12"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li> <li>Intentionally or recklessly damaging, destroying or disturbing any of the habitats or features of an SSSI.<sup id="cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-17" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-naturalengland2007-12"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li> <li>Intentionally or recklessly damaging, destroying, obscuring or taking down a site notice put up on land within an SSSI.<sup id="cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-18" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-naturalengland2007-12"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li> <li>Preventing one of our officers lawfully accessing an SSSI."<sup id="cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-19" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-naturalengland2007-12"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Penalties">Penalties</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=24" title="Edit section: Penalties"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Tried with regards to each separate animal/site involved. If multiple organisms or sites are involved then defendant tried per animal/site involved: </p> <ul><li>Up to £5,000 fine (incidents involving SSSIs can now incur fines of up to £20,000 under amendments made by the <a href="/wiki/Countryside_and_Rights_of_Way_Act_2000" title="Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000">Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000</a>).</li> <li>Up to six months imprisonment</li> <li>If the defendant is a corporation then the head of that corporation may also be tried as liable and face the fine and/or prison sentence.<sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-17"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>17<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Exemptions">Exemptions</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=25" title="Edit section: Exemptions"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Exemptions_to_Part_1:_Wildlife">Exemptions to Part 1: Wildlife</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=26" title="Edit section: Exemptions to Part 1: Wildlife"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>There are various exemptions applied to part one providing protection for wildlife, thus no lawful act or offence will be committed, if: </p> <ul><li>an authorised person for example by obtaining a licence from Natural England or DEFRA kills or takes a wild bird, damages or destroys the nest of a bird and damages or removes eggs from the nest.</li> <li>an authorised person for example has obtained a licence for killing or injuring an animal in schedule 5 and can provide sufficient evidence stating it was necessary to prevent damage and protect livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber and fisheries.</li> <li>a wild bird or animal has been taken if injured and that person's intention is to tend and return the bird or animal to the wild when fully recovered. If it is so severely injured beyond recovery then it can be killed in the most humane way possible.</li></ul> <p>All sick and injured birds and animals which are being cared for must be registered with DEFRA. </p> <ul><li>it can be shown that the destruction of a nest, egg, bird, animal or an animal's shelter was accidental from a lawful operation and could not have been avoided.</li> <li>an individual can provide evidence showing it was necessary to kill or injure a protected animal or bird in order to protect livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber and fisheries.<sup id="cite_ref-legislation2010_9-7" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-legislation2010-9"><span class="cite-bracket">&#91;</span>9<span class="cite-bracket">&#93;</span></a></sup></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Variations">Variations</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=27" title="Edit section: Variations"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Provided below is a list - probably incomplete - of documents modifying the W&amp;C Act 1981. </p> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Statutory_Instrument_(UK)" class="mw-redirect" title="Statutory Instrument (UK)">Statutory Instrument</a> 1988 No. 288: The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedules) Order 1988 <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1988/Uksi_19880288_en_1.htm">S.I. 1981/288</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Statutory_Instrument_(UK)" class="mw-redirect" title="Statutory Instrument (UK)">Statutory Instrument</a> 1994 No. 1151: Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedule 4) Order 1994 <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1994/Uksi_19941151_en_1.htm">S.I. 1994/1151</a></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="References">References</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=28" title="Edit section: References"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239543626">.mw-parser-output .reflist{margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%}}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-alpha{list-style-type:upper-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-roman{list-style-type:upper-roman}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-alpha{list-style-type:lower-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-greek{list-style-type:lower-greek}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-roman{list-style-type:lower-roman}</style><div class="reflist"> <div class="mw-references-wrap mw-references-columns"><ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-1"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-1">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><i>The Public General Acts Passed in the Second Year of the Reign of His Majesty King Edward the Seventh</i>. London: printed for His Majesty's Stationery Office. 1902.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-2"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-2">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Chronological table of the statutes<i>; HMSO, London. 1993.</i></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-3"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-3">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1238218222">.mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free.id-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited.id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration.id-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription.id-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background-size:contain;padding:0 1em 0 0}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#085;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}</style><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-1527">"Protected areas designations directory"</a>. Joint Nature Conservation Committee<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">2 January</span> 2016</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&amp;rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&amp;rft.genre=unknown&amp;rft.btitle=Protected+areas+designations+directory&amp;rft.pub=Joint+Nature+Conservation+Committee&amp;rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fjncc.defra.gov.uk%2Fpage-1527&amp;rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AWildlife+and+Countryside+Act+1981" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-4"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-4">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/nature/bern/default_en.asp">Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats</a>, Council of Europe, (2011) [Accessed: 24 March 2011]</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-5"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-5">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">JNCC, 2010</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-6"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-6">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">JNCC, 2010a</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-7"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-7">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Naturenet, 2009</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-8"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-8">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><i>DEFRA Cross Compliance Handbook for England</i>, 2006 edition</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-legislation2010-9"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-legislation2010_9-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-legislation2010_9-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-legislation2010_9-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-legislation2010_9-3"><sup><i><b>d</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-legislation2010_9-4"><sup><i><b>e</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-legislation2010_9-5"><sup><i><b>f</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-legislation2010_9-6"><sup><i><b>g</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-legislation2010_9-7"><sup><i><b>h</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/69">Text of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981</a> as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from <a href="/wiki/Legislation.gov.uk" title="Legislation.gov.uk">legislation.gov.uk</a>. </span> </li> <li id="cite_note-rspca2004-10"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-rspca2004_10-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-rspca2004_10-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.rspca.org.uk/ImageLocator/LocateAsset?asset=document&amp;assetId=1232712496711&amp;mode=prd">Animal welfare law- fifteen years of progress</a>, RSPCA, (2004) [Accessed: 27 March 2011]</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-11"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-11">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.defra.gov.uk/rural/protected/sssi/legislation.htm">SSSI legislative timeline</a>, Defra (2009) [Accessed: 27 March 2011].</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-naturalengland2007-12"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-3"><sup><i><b>d</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-4"><sup><i><b>e</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-5"><sup><i><b>f</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-6"><sup><i><b>g</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-7"><sup><i><b>h</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-8"><sup><i><b>i</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-9"><sup><i><b>j</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-10"><sup><i><b>k</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-11"><sup><i><b>l</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-12"><sup><i><b>m</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-13"><sup><i><b>n</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-14"><sup><i><b>o</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-15"><sup><i><b>p</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-16"><sup><i><b>q</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-17"><sup><i><b>r</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-18"><sup><i><b>s</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-naturalengland2007_12-19"><sup><i><b>t</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.english-nature.org.uk/Special/sssi/images/EnforcementPolicyNotice.pdf">SSSI Enforcement Policy</a>, Natural England, (2007) [Accessed: 23 March 2011].</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-13"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-13">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">IEEM, 2010</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-environmentlaw2010-14"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-environmentlaw2010_14-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-environmentlaw2010_14-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.environmentlaw.org.uk/rte.asp?id=206">Regulators and Agencies</a>, Environmentlaw, (2010) [Accessed: 27 March 2011]</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-southamptoncitycouncil2009-15"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-southamptoncitycouncil2009_15-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-southamptoncitycouncil2009_15-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.southampton.gov.uk/s-environment/rightsofway/maintenance.aspx">Maintaining Public Rights of Way</a>, Southampton City Council, (2009) [Accessed: 27 March 2011]</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-16"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-16">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.defra.gov.uk/paw/">Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime</a>, Defra, (2011) [Accessed: 27 March 2011]</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-17"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-17">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">RSPB, 2011</span> </li> </ol></div></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1251242444">.mw-parser-output .ambox{border:1px solid #a2a9b1;border-left:10px solid #36c;background-color:#fbfbfb;box-sizing:border-box}.mw-parser-output .ambox+link+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+link+style+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+link+link+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+.mw-empty-elt+link+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+.mw-empty-elt+link+style+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+.mw-empty-elt+link+link+.ambox{margin-top:-1px}html body.mediawiki .mw-parser-output .ambox.mbox-small-left{margin:4px 1em 4px 0;overflow:hidden;width:238px;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:88%;line-height:1.25em}.mw-parser-output .ambox-speedy{border-left:10px solid #b32424;background-color:#fee7e6}.mw-parser-output .ambox-delete{border-left:10px solid #b32424}.mw-parser-output .ambox-content{border-left:10px solid #f28500}.mw-parser-output .ambox-style{border-left:10px solid #fc3}.mw-parser-output .ambox-move{border-left:10px solid #9932cc}.mw-parser-output .ambox-protection{border-left:10px solid #a2a9b1}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-text{border:none;padding:0.25em 0.5em;width:100%}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-image{border:none;padding:2px 0 2px 0.5em;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-imageright{border:none;padding:2px 0.5em 2px 0;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-empty-cell{border:none;padding:0;width:1px}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-image-div{width:52px}@media(min-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .ambox{margin:0 10%}}@media print{body.ns-0 .mw-parser-output .ambox{display:none!important}}</style><table class="box-More_footnotes_needed plainlinks metadata ambox ambox-style ambox-More_footnotes_needed" role="presentation"><tbody><tr><td class="mbox-image"><div class="mbox-image-div"><span typeof="mw:File"><span><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Text_document_with_red_question_mark.svg/40px-Text_document_with_red_question_mark.svg.png" decoding="async" width="40" height="40" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Text_document_with_red_question_mark.svg/60px-Text_document_with_red_question_mark.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Text_document_with_red_question_mark.svg/80px-Text_document_with_red_question_mark.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="48" data-file-height="48" /></span></span></div></td><td class="mbox-text"><div class="mbox-text-span">This article includes a list of <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources#General_references" title="Wikipedia:Citing sources">general references</a>, but <b>it lacks sufficient corresponding <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources#Inline_citations" title="Wikipedia:Citing sources">inline citations</a></b>.<span class="hide-when-compact"> Please help to <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Reliability" title="Wikipedia:WikiProject Reliability">improve</a> this article by <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:When_to_cite" title="Wikipedia:When to cite">introducing</a> more precise citations.</span> <span class="date-container"><i>(<span class="date">August 2012</span>)</i></span><span class="hide-when-compact"><i> (<small><a href="/wiki/Help:Maintenance_template_removal" title="Help:Maintenance template removal">Learn how and when to remove this message</a></small>)</i></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table> <ul><li>Countryside Council for Wales, (2000). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.ccw.gov.uk/about-ccw/newsroom/press-releases/sssi-damage-court-case.aspx">Farmer must work with CCW on damaged wildlife site</a>, ccw.gov.uk. [Accessed: 27 March 2011].</li> <li>Defra, (2007). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.defra.gov.uk/paw/prosecutions/default.htm">Recent Prosecutions</a>, defra.gov.uk. [Accessed: 24 March 2011].</li> <li>Defra, (2009). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.defra.gov.uk/paw/pdf/crime-assessment0910.pdf">Strategic Assessment, February 2009 Wildlife Crime in the UK (2009/2010)</a>, defra.gov.uk. [Accessed: 27 March 2011].</li> <li>The Guardian, (2008). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2008/aug/14/conservation.wildlife">The Alien Invaders Choking Britains Waterways</a>, guardian.co.uk. [Accessed 26 March 2011].</li> <li>HMSO, (2005). Planning Policy Statement 9: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation, TSO, UK.</li> <li>IEEM (Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management), (2010). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.ieem.net/docs/02%20Alan%20Roberts.pdf">National Wildlife Crime Unit, Role of the NWCU</a> ieem.net. [Accessed: 27 March 2011].</li> <li>Joint Nature and Conservation Committee, (2010a). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-1373">Directive 2009/147/EC on the Conservation of Wild Birds</a>, jncc.gov.uk. [Accessed: 22 February 2011].</li> <li>Joint Nature and Conservation Committee, (2010b). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-1366">The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals</a>, jncc.gov.uk. [Accessed: 27 February 2011].</li> <li>National Archives, (2011). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/293/contents">The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999</a>, N.O 293. legislation.gov.uk, [Accessed: 27 March 2011].</li> <li>Naturenet, (2009a). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.naturenet.net/law/wcagen.html">Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981</a>, naturenet.com. [Accessed: 26 February 2011].</li> <li>Naturenet, (2009b). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.naturenet.net/status/sssi.html">Site of Special Scientific Interest</a>, naturenet.com. [Accessed: 27 February 2011].</li> <li>Natural England, (2008). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/about_us/news/2008/280108.aspx">Important Environmental Case Concludes</a>, naturalengland.org.uk [Accessed: 27 March 2011].</li> <li>Natural England, (2009). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.english-nature.org.uk/special/sssi/">Sites of Special Scientific Interest</a>, English-nature.org.uk [Accessed: 27 March 2011].</li> <li>Natural England, (2010). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork">/regulation/wildlife/licences/default.aspx Licenses</a>, naturalengland.org.uk. [Accessed: 27 February 2011].</li> <li>Natural England, (2011). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/planningtransportlocalgov/spatialplanning/standingadvice/advice.aspx">Standing Advice for Protected Species</a>, naturalengland.org.uk. [Accessed: 26 March 2011].</li> <li>Natural England, (2011b). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/about_us/whatwedo/default.aspx">What we do</a>, naturalengland.org.uk. . [Accessed: 27 March 2011].</li> <li>OPDM Circular (2005), 06/2005: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation, Statutory Obligations and their Impact within the Planning System, TSO, Uk.</li> <li>RSPB, (2011). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/policy/wildbirdslaw/birdsandlaw/wca/index.aspx">Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981</a>, rspb.org.uk. [Accessed: 22 March 2011].</li> <li>RSPB, (2011b). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/policy/crow/sssis.aspx">Sites of Special Scientific Interest</a>, rspb.org.uk. [Accessed: 27 March 2011].</li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="External_links">External links</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Wildlife_and_Countryside_Act_1981&amp;action=edit&amp;section=29" title="Edit section: External links"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/69">Text of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981</a> as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from <a href="/wiki/Legislation.gov.uk" title="Legislation.gov.uk">legislation.gov.uk</a>.</li></ul> <div class="navbox-styles"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1129693374">.mw-parser-output .hlist dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul{margin:0;padding:0}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt,.mw-parser-output .hlist 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