Wildlife laws set for major overhaul

Legislation in force for almost 200 years could be swept away as part of a radical transformation of the entire legal process related to predator control and wildlife management.

The Law Commission says that the UK?s current laws regulating wildlife, including Game Acts dating from 1828, have created a legal landscape that is?out of date, confused and often contradictory? and should be placed into a single statute.

Announcing a public consultation on the subject, law commissioner Frances Patterson QC said: ?The law must take into account the competing interests of all parties. With this project, we are seeking to achieve a balance between the needs of those people who want to manage wildlife and those who want to protect it.

?What we are proposing does not alter the levels of protection currently offered to wildlife, but it will help people understand what their obligations and duties are and what they can and cannot do, and ensure they are properly licensed to do it.?

The rest of this article appears in the 22nd August issue of Shooting Times.

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The rest of this article appears in the 4th July issue of Shooting Times.