The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994

[F1Grant of licences for certain purposesE+W+S

44.—(1) Regulations 39, 41 and 43 do not apply to anything done for any of the following purposes under and in accordance with the terms of a licence granted by the appropriate authority.

(2) The purposes referred to in paragraph (1) are—

(a)scientific [F2, research] or educational purposes;

(b)ringing or marking, or examining any ring or mark on, wild animals;

(c)conserving wild animals [F3, including wild birds,] or wild plants or introducing them to particular areas;

[F4(ca)conserving natural habitats;]

(d)protecting any zoological or botanical collection;

(e)preserving public health or public safety or other imperative reasons of overriding public interest including those of a social or economic nature and beneficial consequences of primary importance for the environment;

(f)preventing the spread of disease; or

(g)preventing serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber or any other form of property or to fisheries.

[F5(2A) Subject to paragraph (2B), the appropriate authority may grant a licence to permit the taking or the possession or control of certain specimens of any of the species listed in Annex IV to the Habitats Directive notwithstanding that the licence is for a purpose not falling within paragraph (2).

(2B) The appropriate authority shall only grant a licence under paragraph (2A) where it is satisfied that the grant of the licence would be compatible with the restrictions in Article 16(1)(e) of the Habitats Directive.

(2C) Regulations 39, 41 and 43 do not apply to anything done under and in accordance with the terms of a licence granted by the appropriate authority under paragraph (2A).]

(3) The appropriate authority shall not grant a licence under this regulation unless they are satisfied–

(a)that there is no satisfactory alternative, and

(b)that the action authorised will not be detrimental to the maintenance of the population of the species concerned at a favourable conservation status in their natural range.

(4) For the purposes of this regulation “the appropriate authority” means—

(a)in the case of a licence under any of sub–paragraphs (a) to (d) of paragraph (2), the appropriate nature conservation body; and

[F6(b)in the case of any other licence granted under this regulation, the Scottish Ministers.]

[F7(5) The Scottish Ministers shall from time to time consult with the nature conservation bodies as to the exercise of the Scottish Ministers' functions under this regulation; and they shall not grant a licence of any description unless they have been advised by the appropriate nature conservation body as to the circumstances in which, in the opinion of the appropriate nature conservation body, licences of that description should be granted.]]