Habitats and Species

The Natural Heritage Unit, within Planning and Environmental Policy Group (PEPG), is responsible for the preparation of policy and legislation for the protection of wild fauna and flora and their habitats in Northern Ireland, in line with international and European obligations. For example, the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty, calls for action to protect wetlands of international importance, while the EC Wild Birds Directive requires Member States to provide statutory protection for all wild birds and their habitats.

The Department of the Environment is seeking views on proposals to introduce statutory restrictions on the use of lead shot over wetland areas in Northern Ireland.

Prohibition on the use of Lead Shot over Wetlands Consultation Paper (231KB)

Three main pieces of legislation provide the statutory protection for habitats and species in Northern Ireland i.e.

• The Wildlife (NI) Order 1985 provides protection for wild birds, animals and plants.
• The Environment (NI) Order 2002 through its powers to designate and manage Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI’s), provides the necessary protection for habitats.
• The Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc) Regulations (NI) 1995 provide protection for habitats and species that are of European importance. These Regulations were recently amended by the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2007. To view the amendment please go to OPSI website The Department has produced a Guidance Document (233kb) to explain the effect of the amendments

The Wildlife Order is currently under review and the Department has published a consultation paper on its proposals to amend the Order a copy of which can be downloaded below. Alternatively you can request a hard copy of the document by phoning 028 902 57380. The closing date for comments about the proposals is 6th June 2008.

Review of the wildlife order policy consultation 20 february 2008 (544KB)

The Division is also responsible for aspects of the Game laws, which date back to the 19th century. The existing laws regulate the taking, killing and selling of game, as well as providing for laws to prevent poaching. ‘Game’ includes hares, pheasants, partridge, grouse, woodcock and snipe.

The systems for ‘game licences’ (anyone wishing to take/kill game) and ‘game dealers licences’(anyone wishing to sell game) are administered by the Department for Social Development under The Miscellaneous Transferred Excise Duties Act (NI) 1972.

Legislation relating to the conservation and hunting of game is the responsibility of DOE. Existing legislation includes:-

• The Game Act 1831
• The Game Preservation Act (NI) 1928