This Consultation has now closed
Scottish Government's Legislative Programme
On September 3, 2009 the First Minister made a Statement to the Scottish Parliament on the Scottish Government's Legislative Programme, and set out the Scottish Government's intention to bring forward a Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill.
Background
Scotland has a rich and varied natural heritage with a mosaic of landscapes and scenery. Our landscapes and the plants and creatures that make and live in them, are recognised around the world and have underpinned our lives. Maintaining the high quality of our natural environment is vital to the economy of Scotland; it helps to attract tourists and makes a key contribution to the success of many rural businesses, and provides important natural services. The Scottish Government has an important role in ensuring that the legislative framework which underpins wildlife and natural environment management is fit for purpose.
Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill Consultation
A consultation to help inform development of the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill closed on September 4, 2009. Views were sought on how to modernise outdated statute, address anomalies and weaknesses in current provision to make it more efficient and effective, and enhance the sustainable management of the natural environment for the public interest.
The consultation addressed policy on deer management, game law (game licensing and poaching), invasive non-native species, muirburn, the administration of species licensing, the implementation of Ministerial commitments on snaring, the protection of badgers and a number of issues relating to the operation of SSSI statute.
The Consultation document, Strategic Environmental Assessment Determination and Partial Regulatory Impact Assessment can still be accessed by following the relevant links.
What happens next
The Scottish Government is considering all views expressed in the consultation exercise and they will help inform development of the prospective Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill. It is expected that the Bill will be introduced to the Scottish Parliament in 2010. Information on how the Scottish Parliament processes legislation.
The Scottish Government has now published all responses to the consultation which have not been marked as confidential. Consultation responses will also be available from the Scottish Government library, which can be contacted on 0131 244 4552. Responses can be copied and sent to you, but a charge may be made for this service.
Consultation Analysis
The Consultation Analysis has now been completed, along with the Research Findings, which can be accessed by following the relevant links.
Consultation Report
The Consultation Report has now been completed which can be accessed by following the relevant links.
Further information
Further information on the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill can be obtained from:
Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill Team
Landscapes and Habitats
The Scottish Government
1A-North
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ
Telephone 0131 244 5450
Fax 0131 244 4071
wildlifebill@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Overview of issues which were addressed
Although the consultation is now closed, you can still access relevant material by following the links below.
- Consultation document - Full consultation document.
Other Issues Section Q & A - other areas of wildlife and natural environment legislation, such as modification of penalties which apply to offences under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and the implementation of Ministerial commitments in relation to snaring.