The Government is to launch a public consultation on what is being described as “the biggest review of wildlife legislation for a generation”.

The legislation concerned covers areas such as the protection of birds, the protection of certain wild animals, and the protection of lands, sites and habitats.

It includes the Wildlife Act 1976, the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, as well as related regulations.

‘Appropriate balance’

Malcolm Noonan (Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform) said that it was vital that the public had its say on the review, which will look at areas including penalties for wildlife crime, enforcement measures, licensing requirements, wildlife protection, and habitat protection,

He added that the process would seek to strike “an appropriate balance between the needs of humans and the needs of wildlife”.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage states that the objectives are to update legislation so that it:

• Better protects nature,
• Helps prevent biodiversity loss,
• Is fully compliant with EU law, and
• Is easier for enforcement and compliance.

The first phase of the consultation will be an online public consultation that will run from mid-June to September.

The department adds that the review will be completed “over several years” and will involve several phases of public consultation, with the aim of having “substantial updates” of legislation passed by the end of 2027.