Public polled on views on wildlife laws

An online consultation process is now open and will run until September 13, with the public invited to contribute views on the priorities for any new legislation.

The views of the public are being sought on reviewing and updating the country’s wildlife laws.

An online consultation process is now open and will run until September 13, with the public invited to contribute views on the priorities for any new legislation.

It is being conducted by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Minister of State Malcolm Noonan said the laws underpinning the protection of nature in Ireland are a key instrument in the conservation and enhancement of our beautiful and unique natural heritage.

“By strengthening our laws in this area, we can give nature the best possible chance to recover and flourish.

“It is vital that wildlife legislation is reviewed and updated to ensure that nature is given the best protection possible while also respecting our own place within it.

“So often in Ireland, we rely on European Union legislation to tell us how we should protect nature under the law.

“This is a chance for us to decide for ourselves what our priorities should be and where we should go beyond the minimum protections set down under EU law. We are all stakeholders when it comes to wildlife legislation.

“I urge interested members of the public to have their say on how legal protections can be improved and on how we can have legislation that works for everyone and strikes an appropriate balance between the interests of humans and the interest of wildlife,” he said.

The legislation being updated includes the Wildlife Act 1976, the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, and related regulations.

These cover areas such as the protection of birds, the protection of certain wild animals, and the protection of certain lands, sites and habitats.

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 to enforce and comply with.

It is anticipated that two new Wildlife Bills and several new Statutory Instruments will be published arising from this work.

The update of legislation will be completed over several years and will entail several phases of public consultation.

The key focus of the initial phase of the update will be on strengthening the enforcement of wildlife crime.

NPWS director general Niall Ó Donnchú said this review is a priority in the current Strategic Plan to ensure that legislation protects nature.

“NPWS is committed to engaging with the public over the course of the review and we encourage everyone to have their say,” he said.