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The Scottish Ministers, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972[1] and section 26A of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981[2] and of all other powers enabling them in that behalf, hereby make the following Regulations: Citation, commencement and extent 1. - (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2004 and shall come into force on 29th November 2004. (2) These Regulations extend to Scotland only. Interpretation 2. In these Regulations-
Amendments to the 1994 Regulations 4. In regulation 2 (interpretation and application)-
(b) any natural habitat existing on that land";
(b) after paragraph (1) insert-
(b) where the animal is of an oviparous species, when the egg was laid.
(1B) The reference in paragraph (1A) to "lawfully" means without any contravention of these Regulations or Part I of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.".
5.
In regulation 3(2) (implementation of Directive)-
(b) at the end add "Part 2 of the 2004 Act".
6.
In regulation 10 (meaning of "European site" in these Regulations)-
(b) at the end of paragraph (1)(d) add-
(e) a site in Scotland included in a list of sites proposed under regulation 7(1).";
(c) in paragraph (2)-
(ii) for "relate" substitute "relates".
7.
In regulation 11 (duty to compile and maintain register of European sites) at the end of paragraph (2)(d) add-
(e) any site in Scotland included in a list of sites proposed under regulation 7(1)."
8.
In regulation 17 (continuation in force of existing agreement, &c.) omit paragraphs (1) and (2).
18. - (1) Any person who intentionally or recklessly damages any natural feature by reason of which land is a European site is, subject to paragraph (2), guilty of an offence. (2) Any person who does anything which would, but for this paragraph, amount to an offence under paragraph (1) is not guilty of the offence if it is shown that-
(b) the person who carried out the lawful operation-
(ii) did not foresee, and could not reasonably have foreseen, that the act would be an incidental result of the carrying out of the lawful operation, and
(c) that person took such steps as were reasonably practicable in all the circumstances to minimise the damage caused.
(3) Any person guilty of an offence under paragraph (1) is liable-
(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine.
Application of Chapters 2, 3 and 4 of Part 2 of the 2004 Act
(b) Chapter 3 (land management orders) and schedule 3 (land management orders and related orders: procedure); and (c) in Chapter 4-
(ii) section 40 (restoration orders); (iii) section 41 (signs, etc.); (iv) section 43 (powers of investigation etc.: police); (v) section 44 (powers of entry: authorised persons) and schedule 4 (powers of entry of authorised persons: further provision); and (vi) section 46 (offences: penalties and time limits);
(2) For the purposes of these Regulations, any reference in the provisions referred to in paragraph (1)(a) to (c)-
(b) to a "site of special scientific interest" shall be construed as if it was a reference to a European site; (c) to the 2004 Act or any Part thereof, shall be construed as if it was a reference to these Regulations; (d) to a term defined in the 2004 Act shall, unless the context otherwise requires, bear the same meaning as in that Act.
Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the 2004 Act
(ii) Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds[9] as last amended by that Act";
(ii) the reference to "international obligation" in subsection (2)(b) included the obligations set out in the Directives referred to in subsection (2)(a) of that section; and
(b) in section 27 (offences in relation to nature conservation orders) the reference to "£40,000" was a reference to "level 5 on the standard scale".
Chapter 3 of Part 2 of the 2004 Act
(b) in section 29(2)(b) (proposals for land management orders) for "specified in an SSSI notification" there was substituted "by reason of which land is a European site"; (c) in section 36(3)(a) (offences in relation to land management orders) the reference to "£40,000" was a reference to "level 5 on the standard scale".
Chapter 4 of Part 2 of the 2004 Act
(ii) by reason of which a nature conservation order has effect;
(b) in section 40 (restoration orders)-
(ii) in subsection (4)(a), the reference to "£40,000" was a reference to "level 5 on the standard scale";
(c) in section 41(1) (signs etc.) for the words from "any land" to the end there was substituted "a European site";
(b) in paragraphs (c) and (d), the reference to "management agreement" included a reference to a management agreement entered into under regulation 16 of these Regulations; (c) in paragraph (f), for the words from "section 19(1)" to "20" there were substituted references to regulations 18 to 22 of these Regulations; (d) in paragraph (l), the reference to "section 48(10)" was a reference to regulation 108 of these Regulations; and
(ii) in subsection (2)(c), the reference to "section 48(10)" was a reference to regulation 108 of these Regulations.".
10.
In regulation 39 (protection of wild animals of European protected species)-
(b) after paragraph (1) insert-
(ii) omit "or" at the end of that sub paragraph; (iii) in sub paragraph (b), after "sold" insert "at a place in Scotland"; (iv) omit the words from "For this purpose" to the end; and (v) at the end of sub-paragraph (b) add-
(c) that the animal or other thing in question had been killed at, taken from or sold at a place outwith Scotland and-
(ii) that the animal or other thing in question had been brought from the place where it was killed, taken or sold in accordance with the relevant regulations";
(d) after paragraph (4), insert-
(b) "the relevant regulations" means-
(ii) Commission Regulation (EC) 1808/2001 on the implementation of that Council Regulation[12].
(4B) Subject to the provisions of this Part, it is an offence to knowingly cause or permit to be done an act which is made unlawful by any of the provisions of this regulation."; and
(ii) at the end, add ", or to both".
11.
In regulation 40 (exceptions from regulation 39)-
(ii) that the unlawful act was carried out in relation to an animal bred and, at the time the act was carried out, lawfully held in captivity."; and
(b) after paragraph (3), insert-
(b) the person who carried out the lawful operation or other activity-
(ii) did not foresee, and could not reasonably have foreseen, that the unlawful act would be an incidental result of the carrying out of the lawful operation or other activity; and
(c) the person who carried out the unlawful act took, immediately upon the consequence of that act becoming apparent to the person, such steps as were reasonably practicable in the circumstances to minimise the damage or disturbance to the wild animal of a European protected species, or the damage or destruction to the breeding site or resting place, in relation to which the unlawful act was carried out."; and
(c) after paragraph (6) insert-
12.
In regulation 41(6) (prohibition of certain methods of taking or killing wild animals)-
(b) at the end add ", or to both".
13.
In regulation 43 (protection of wild plants of European protected species)-
(b) in paragraph (4), for the words from "if" to the end substitute-
(b) the person who carried out the lawful operation or other activity-
(ii) did not foresee, and could not reasonably have foreseen, that the unlawful act would be an incidental result of the carrying out of the lawful operation or other activity; and
(c) the person who carried out the unlawful act took, immediately upon the consequence of that act becoming apparent, such steps as were reasonably practicable in the circumstances to minimise the damage to the wild plant of a European protected species in relation to which the unlawful act was carried out.";
(c) after paragraph (5) insert-
(ii) for "4" substitute "5"; and (iii) at the end add ", or to both".
14.
In regulation 44(2) (grant of licences for certain purposes)-
(b) in sub-paragraph (c) after "animals" insert ", including wild birds,"; and (c) after sub-paragraph (c) insert-
15.
In regulation 46(2) (false statements made for obtaining licence)-
(b) for "4" substitute "5"; and (c) at the end add ", or to both".
16.
In regulation 47(1) (application of the provisions of this Part)-
(b) after regulation 53 insert-
53A. - (1) Regulations 48 and 49 (requirement to consider effect on European site) apply in relation to the granting of any consent under-
(b) section 16(3) of the 2004 Act to permit an owner or occupier of land within a site of special scientific interest to carry out an operation requiring consent on the land.
(2) Where in such a case SNH considers that any adverse effects of the plan or project on the integrity of a European site would be avoided if the consent were subject to conditions, it may grant consent subject to those conditions.
17. In regulation 101 (enforcement)-
(ii) for "have in his possession" substitute "may have used, or may have or have had in his possession,"; and (iii) after "found" insert "in or";
(b) after paragraph (1)(b) insert-
(c) in paragraph (2)-
(ii) for "dwelling-house" substitute "dwelling or lockfast premises";
(d) in paragraph (3)-
(ii) for the words from "(with" to "premises" in the second place where it occurs substitute "to enter those premises, if necessary using reasonable force, and search them"; and
(e) after paragraph (3) insert-
(5) A constable authorised by virtue of this regulation to enter any land must, if required to do so by the occupier or anyone acting on the occupier's behalf, produce evidence of the constable's authority. (6) A constable who enters any land in the exercise of a power conferred by this regulation-
(ii) take any machinery, other equipment or materials on to the land,
for the purpose of assisting the constable in the exercise of that power;
(7) A power specified in paragraph (6)(a) or (b) which is exercisable under a warrant is subject to the terms of the warrant.
18.
After regulation 101 insert-
101A. - (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) to (4), sections 19ZC (wildlife inspectors: Scotland) and 19ZD (power to take samples: Scotland) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981[13] apply, for the purposes of these Regulations. (2) For the purposes of these Regulations, any reference in section 19ZC or 19ZD of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to that Act or any part thereof, shall be construed as a reference to these Regulations. (3) The provisions of section 19ZC of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 apply for the purposes of these Regulations as if-
(ii) paragraphs (b) to (d) were omitted; and (iii) in paragraph (e)(i) and (ii), "registration or" was omitted;
(b) in subsection (4)-
(ii) in paragraph (a)(i) and (ii) "registration or" was omitted; and (iii) paragraph (b) was omitted;
(c) in subsection (5), for the words from "section 6" to "14A" there was substituted a reference to regulation 39(2) or 43(2) of these Regulations;
(4) the provisions of section 19ZD of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 apply for the purposes of these Regulations as if-
(ii) the reference to "this Part" was a reference to Part III of these Regulations;
(b) in subsection (2), the reference to "this Part" was a reference to Part III of these Regulations;
(ii) "to (d)" was omitted;
(d) in subsection (4), for the words from "section 6" to "14A" there was substituted a reference to regulation 39(2) or 43(2) of these Regulations;
(ii) "bird, other" was omitted; and
(i) after subsection (10) there was inserted-
19.
In regulation 102(2) (proceedings for offences: venue, time limits)-
(b) for "two" substitute "three"; and (c) at the end, add "or, in the case of a continuous contravention, after the last date on which the offence was committed".
Transitional Provisions
(b) in respect of which notice has been given under paragraph 6 of Schedule 1 to the 1994 Regulations of a decision to confirm it,
is to be treated as a nature conservation order made under section 23 and confirmed under paragraph 5 of schedule 2 to the 2004 Act.
(b) regulation 32; (c) regulations 87 to 93; (d) regulations 98 and 99; and (e) Schedule 1.
(This note is not part of the Regulations) These Regulations amend the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994[15] ("the 1994 Regulations"). The provisions in these Regulations relating to site protection bring European sites into line with the protection regime set out in Part 2 of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004[16] ("the 2004 Act"). Further protection is given to European protected species through amendments to Part III of the 1994 Regulations which reflect the provisions relating to species protection contained in Part I of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981[17]. Regulations 4 and 5 amend Part I of the 1994 Regulations (introductory provisions). Regulation 4 updates existing definitions in regulation 2 of the 1994 Regulations and regulation 5, inter alia, includes references to Part 2 of the 2004 Act in regulation 3(2) of the 1994 Regulations so as to impose the general duties in that Regulation on the Scottish Ministers and SNH in respect of their functions under the 2004 Act. Regulations 6 to 9 amend Part II of the 1994 Regulations (conservation of natural habitats and habitats of species). Regulations 6 and 7 amend regulations 10 and 11 of the 1994 Regulations which deal with the meaning and registration of a European site. Regulation 6 extends the category of European sites to include candidate special areas of conservation. Regulation 8 revokes regulation 17(1) and (2) of the 1994 Regulations which deal with management agreements and things done under certain enactments. Regulation 9 inserts new regulations 18 to 22 into the 1994 Regulations. The inserted regulation 18 creates an offence of reckless or intentional damage to a natural feature by reason of which land is a European site. The inserted regulation 19 applies certain provisions of Part 2 of the 2004 Act to European sites for the purposes of the 1994 Regulations, subject to regulations 20 to 22. The provisions from the 2004 Act which are applied to European sites create, inter alia, new powers in relation to European sites to enable Scottish Ministers to make nature conservation orders, land management orders and for SNH to acquire land compulsorily or by agreement. Powers are also created to enable a court to make restoration orders, SNH to erect signs on any land for the purpose of providing information to the public in relation to a European site, the police to investigate and for authorised persons to have a power of entry. The inserted regulations 20 to 22 set out the changes to the provisions in Chapters 2, 3 and 4 of Part 2 of the 2004 Act which are necessary in order to apply those provisions for the purposes of these Regulations. Part III of the 1994 Regulations (protection of species) contains provisions to ensure the protection of European protected species of animals and plants. The amendments to Part III, which are made by regulations 10 to 15 of these Regulations, bring the protection regime for European protected species into line with the protection regime for animals and plants set out in Part I of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Regulation 16 makes amendments to Part IV of the 1994 Regulations (adaptation of planning and other controls) which are required in consequence of the revocation of regulation 20 of the 1994 Regulations in circumstances where an appropriate assessment needs to be undertaken in relation to the granting of a consent under section 13(4) or 16(3) of the 2004 Act. Regulations 17 to 19 contain amendments to Part V of the 1994 Regulations (supplementary provisions). Regulation 17 amends regulation 101 of the 1994 Regulations which deals with enforcement for offences committed under Part III of the 1994 Regulations to bring it into line with the enforcement regime set out in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for offences committed under Part I of that Act. Regulation 18 inserts a new regulation 101A into the 1994 Regulations. That inserted regulation applies sections 19ZC and 19ZD of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981[18] for the purposes of the 1994 Regulations, to give powers of entry, and powers to take samples, to wildlife inspectors and constables in connection with various suspected offences under Part III of the 1994 Regulations. Regulations 20 and 21 set out the transitional arrangements which are necessary in light of these Regulations and regulation 22 revokes certain provisions of the 1994 Regulations. Notes: [1] 1972 c.68. Section 2(2) was amended by the Scotland Act 1998 (c.46), Schedule 8, paragraph 15(3). The functions conferred upon a Minister of the Crown under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972, insofar as within devolved competence, were transferred to the Scottish Ministers by virtue of section 53 of the Scotland Act 1998.back [2] 1981 (c.69). Section 26A of the 1981 Act was inserted by s.50 and paragraph 22 of schedule 6 to the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 6).back [4] S.I. 1994/2716; relevant amendments are 2003 asp 2, S.I. 1996/973, 1997/3055, 1999/1820 and S.S.I. 2000/323.back [6] These words were inserted in the definition of "the Habitats Directive" by S.I. 1997/3055.back [7] O.J. L 236, 23.9.03, p.33.back [8] O.J. No. L 206, 22.7.92, p.7.back [9] O.J. No. L 103, 25.4.79, p.1.back [11] O.J. No. L 61, 3.3.97, p.1. The latest amending regulation is at O.J. No. L 127, 29.04.04, p.40.back [12] O.J. No. L 250, 19.09.01, p.1.back [13] Sections 19ZC and 19ZD of that Act were inserted by the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 6), section 50 and schedule 6, paragraph 17.back [17] 1981 (c.68). Part I of that Act was amended by section 50, of and schedule 6 to, the 2004 Act.back [18] Sections 19ZC and 19ZD were inserted into Part I of that Act by paragraph 17 of schedule 6 to the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004.back
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