Wildlife Law 2015 Wildfowling Conference The Law Commission  Established in 1965 to review the law with a view to its simplification and modernisation  Chaired by a senior judge, four Commissioners  Staffed by government lawyers The wildlife project  Proposed by Defra  Started in July 2011  Consultation: August to November 2012  Interim Report (October 2013)  Final Report on Invasive Non-native Species Control (February 2014)  Final Report and Bill (May 2015) A simplified structure for wildlife law  Scope of the draft Wildlife Bill  Licensing: substantive and procedural reform  A general power to introduce close seasons  Inconsistent provisions Wild Birds  Defining “wild birds” in line with article 1 of the Wild Birds Directive  Removing outdate provision in connection with the protection of game birds and other huntable birds:  Article 7 of the Wild Birds Directive and the domestic regulation of hunting;  Simplification of the legislation on poaching. Compliance with EU legislation  Prohibiting “deliberate” conduct  Ensuring that domestic defences to otherwise prohibited conduct comply with the Habitats and Wild Birds Directives’ derogation conditions Wild Birds: possession and trade  Possession of wild birds: burden of proof for birds ringed or tagged in accordance with regulations  Trade in wild and captive bred birds: compliance with EU law  Simplifying the domestic regulation of the trade in wild and captive bred birds Enforcement and sanctions  Increasing criminal sanctions for wildlife crime  Introducing a civil sanctions regime in line with the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008  Extending liability for employers and principals  Appeals: challenging wildlife licences “Invasive non-native” species and pests  General scope of the reform of invasive non-native species legislation  Species control orders  A power to impose notification requirements  Simplification and rationalisation of existing powers and prohibitions connected to the control and management of INNS  Simplification and rationalisation of enforcement powers connected with the control of agricultural pests and weeds Next steps  Publication of the report  Official response from Defra  Implementation  Devolution Thank you wildlife@lawcommission.gsi.gov.uk