We all value the wildlife we have. It inspires and enriches our lives, contributes to our wellbeing and delivers the ecosystem services we need to survive. We must make sure wildlife has effective protection and is managed. We do this through complying with our national and international obligations.

Latest news

• 22 March 2012: Habitats and Wild Birds Directives Implementation Review report published.  Learn more about the review or read the report.
  
• 29 November 2011: The Government has announced that it will undertake a review of the implementation of the EU Habitats and Wild Birds Directives in England.

The case for government action

Our wildlife is protected under several pieces of legislation. This helps to contribute towards our conservation aim to halt the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystem services in the EU by 2020, and restore them as far as possible. Much of our work in England is based on the legally binding EU directives which implement international conventions. In these international conventions we, along with many other countries, have made specific commitments to conserve and protect wildlife.

Relevant legislation and regulations

All our wild birds and a number of animal and plant species are protected by the Habitats Directive, implemented through the UK Habitats Regulations 2010; and the Birds Directive, implemented through the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

These are the means by which the UK and other European countries meet their obligations under the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (known as the Bern Convention) and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (known as the Bonn Convention, or CMS).

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) also helps monitor and control trade in endangered species.

All wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which implements the EC Wild Birds Directive in Great Britain. It is it is an offence to kill or injure any wild bird. The nests and eggs also receive protection. In some cases it can be an offence to disturb wild birds, and taking them from the wild is prohibited. The sale or trade of wild birds in some circumstances is also prohibited. Rare or vulnerable native species of animals and plants that are not protected under the Habitats Regulations 2010, such as the red squirrel and military orchid, are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Some species, such as deer, badgers and seals, are afforded protection through their own legislation.

• Legislation and licences that protects wildlife
  

Many habitats and areas in which species may live are also protected.

• More information can be found on the Protected or designated areas web page