Registration of Schedule 4 birds in Wales
On the 5th January 2009 the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing agreed to amend Schedule 4 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (Bird Registration) in Wales so that a consistent legislative position applied across Great Britain.
Species being given protection
In the light of the JNCC’s advice, and following public consultation, the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing has agreed to the drafting of an order to amend Schedule 4 of the WCA 1981 to include the following species only:-
Honey Buzzard
Golden Eagle
White-tailed Eagle
Goshawk
Marsh Harrier
Monatgu’s Harrier
Osprey
In addition the following species will remain on schedule 4 and be subject to licensing if they are not already subject to CITES controls.:
Peregrine Falcon
Merlin
Birds removed from the list
Any birds removed from Schedule 4 will still require close rings if kept and bred in captivity.
Timetable
The legislation will be laid in front of the Assembly for 21 days. The likely date for the legislation to come into force will be 21st April.
Until the amended legislation comes into force the current legislation will require all birds currently on Schedule 4 to be registered.
Once the amended legislation has come into force there will not be a requirement to register birds other than those listed above for the coming years.
We appreciate that this will require further administration work from falcon breeders in Wales for the coming year but would highlight that the Minister has agreed to amend the legislation following consideration of a considerable range of views from stakeholders throughout Wales. This was the best resolution that could be achieved in the circumstances. Registration is not expected to required from end of April 2009 for future years.
Page last modified:13 February 2009
Page published:13 February 2009