Citation and interpretation

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Wildlife and Natural Environment (2011 Act) (Commencement No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011.

(2) In this Order “the Act” means the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.

Appointed day

2.  The day appointed for the coming into operation of the provisions of the Act specified in the Schedule is 17th August 2011.

Article 2

SCHEDULEProvisions of the Act coming into operation on 17th August 2011

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order appoints 17th August 2011 as the day for the coming into operation of the following provisions of the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011—

(a)Sections 1 to 3 which introduces a new statutory duty upon government and public bodies to take action to further the conservation of biodiversity;

(b)Sections 4 to 10 and 12 to 28 which make amendments to the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 to provide enhanced protection for wildlife, stronger enforcement powers to deal with wildlife crime and enhanced powers to manage the wild deer population;

(c)Sections 29 to 34 which amend the Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 to enhance protection of areas of special scientific interest;

(d)Section 36 which removes restrictions on when legally taken game can be sold and Section 37 which gives the Department a power to give special protection to game birds during the hunting season;

(e)Section 38 which prohibits hare coursing; and

(f)Section 39 which deals with consequential amendments to existing statute and repeals.

NOTE AS TO EARLIER COMMENCEMENT ORDERS

(This note is not part of the Order)

The following provision of the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 has been brought into operation by commencement order made before the date of this Order.