Wildlife and countryside act? (2023)

What is the UK Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981?

Summary: An Act prohibiting and limiting actions involving wild animals, and the primary piece of legislation for wildlife protection in the UK. Prohibitions include taking, injuring, killing and disturbing. It is also an offence to disturb places used for shelter and protection.

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), the country nature conservation bodies have a duty to notify any area of land which in their opinion is 'of special interest by reason of any of its flora, fauna, or geological or physiographical features' – these areas are known as Sites of Special Scientific ...

Schedule 1. The Act makes it an offence (with exception to species listed in Schedule 2) to intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird or their eggs or nests.

In-text: (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, n.d.) Your Bibliography: Legislation.gov.uk. n.d. Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

October 2022: New amendment to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 allows licences to be granted for development purposes - Aspect Ecology.

Currently all bird species, 22 other animal species or groups of species and 86 species of flora are afforded protected status. The Act also enables the possession, trade and movement of wildlife to be regulated and controlled.

Most offences under Part I WCA 1981 are summary only and a person guilty of such an offence is liable on summary conviction to six months' imprisonment or to a level five fine or both.

The police are responsible for enforcing part I of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, often advised by Natural England and will investigate wildlife offences; usually performed by wildlife crime officers (WCOs). The National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) is a law enforcement unit which helps agencies with enforcement.

It is illegal to kill, injure or 'take' any wild bird, take or damage the nest of any wild bird whilst in use or being built. The eggs of all wild birds are also protected. If you have in your possession any live wild birds, egg(s) or any part of a wild bird you are committing an offence.

What is Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act?

Schedule 5 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act

Schedule 5 lists Animals Species that are protected under Section 9. Section 9 prohibits the intentional killing, injuring or taking of the species listed in Schedule 5 and also prohibits their possession and the trade in the wild animals listed.

The Canada Wildlife Act is the chief federal law pertaining to the protection and management of wildlife. The Act is administered by the Canadian Wildlife Service. The Canada Wildlife Act was amended in 1994 to reflect an increased awareness of the importance of biodiversity.

Penalties on summary conviction are a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum and/or 3 months imprisonment. Penalties on conviction are an unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment. Further detailed guidance on the Regulations has been produced by Defra13.

In the main, Schedule 9 lists non-native species that are already established in the wild, but which continue to pose a conservation threat to native biodiversity and habitats, such that further releases should be regulated.

An Act to provide for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants and for matters connected therewith or ancillary or incidental thereto with a view to ensuring the ecological and environmental security of the country.

1[9. Prohibition of hunting. —No person shall hunt any wild animal specified in Schedules I, II, III and IV except as provided under section 11 and section 12.]

Also, within the Lacey Act the term “fish or wildlife” means: any wild animal, whether alive or dead, including without limitation any wild mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, mollusk, crustacean, arthropod, coelenterate, or other invertebrate, whether or not bred, hatched, or born in captivity, and includes any ...

Basic protection

All birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law and it is thus an offence, with certain exceptions (see Exceptions), to: Intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird. Intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built.

poaching, in law, the illegal shooting, trapping, or taking of game, fish, or plants from private property or from a place where such practices are specially reserved or forbidden. Poaching is a major existential threat to numerous wild organisms worldwide and is an important contributor to biodiversity loss.

What is illegal hunting of wildlife?

The illegal hunting of wild animals is called poaching. Many wild animals are being killed by hunters and poachers for their fur, bones, tusks and meat.

India's Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 is a comprehensive piece of legislation that regulates sanctuaries, national parks, and zoos among other protected locations. Its primary aim is to curb the illegal trade in wildlife and the derivative parts.

The most critical aspect of wildlife conservation is habitat management. Habitat loss presents the greatest threat to wildlife. Five essential elements must be present to provide a viable habitat: food, water, cover, space, and arrangement.

The purpose of section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 ('the Act') is to prevent the release into the wild of certain plants and animals which may cause ecological, environmental, or socio-economic harm.

If any type of bird is nesting in a tree or hedge then it is legally protected, so long as the nest is in use. This may prohibit certain types of tree pruning or removal until the nesting season is over. Removing dense hedges or substantially reducing them would be illegal, but annual trimming may be acceptable.

6[(1A) Any person who contravenes any provisions of Chapter VA, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than 7[three years] but which may extend to seven years and also with fine which shall not be less than 8[ten thousand rupees].]

Animals under this list are also accorded high protection. Their trade is prohibited. They cannot be hunted except under threat to human life. Examples: Kohinoor (insect), Assamese Macaque, Bengal Hanuman langur, Large Indian Civet, Indian Fox, Larger Kashmir Flying Squirrel, Kashmir Fox, etc.

Wildlife crime can include poaching, smuggling, breeding, trapping, etc., and can violate several laws and treaties.

The Animal Health Act 1981 (as amended by the Animal Health Act 2002) provides for the control of outbreaks of animal diseases, including FMD. This includes the slaughter of any animals for the purposes of preventing the spread of the disease.

The police are responsible for enforcing part I of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, often advised by Natural England and will investigate wildlife offences; usually performed by wildlife crime officers (WCOs). The National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) is a law enforcement unit which helps agencies with enforcement.

What is the main aim of wildlife protection Act?

India's Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 is a comprehensive piece of legislation that regulates sanctuaries, national parks, and zoos among other protected locations. Its primary aim is to curb the illegal trade in wildlife and the derivative parts.

need for a suitable environment. need for a suitable diet. need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns. need to be housed with, or apart, from other animals.

The welfare of all farmed animals is protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which makes it an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to any animal. The Act also contains a duty of care to animals - anyone responsible for an animal must take reasonable steps to make sure the animal's welfare needs are met.

The Animal Health Act 1981 is a piece of UK legislation that provides powers for the control of outbreaks of avian influenza and Newcastle disease. These powers were extended by a statutory instrument. It was amended by the Animal Health and Welfare Act 1984.

Under s53 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 the Council has a duty to keep the Definitive Map and Statement under continuous review by making modification orders when necessary because of certain events specified in section 53 (3).

(3) Any wild animal killed or wounded in defence of any person shall be Government property. (b) in respect of any other wild animal, except with the previous permission of the State Government.]

6[(1A) Any person who contravenes any provisions of Chapter VA, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than 7[three years] but which may extend to seven years and also with fine which shall not be less than 8[ten thousand rupees].]

Protected Areas, viz., National Parks, Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves have been created in the country covering important habitats to provide better protection to wildlife, including threatened species and their habitat.