Explanatory note

This Order amends Schedule 2 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (“the Act”).

Part 1 of that Schedule lists the birds that may be killed or taken outside the close season. The close season is defined in section 2(4) of the Act.

Article 2 of this Order amends the entry for White-fronted Goose (Anser Albifrons) in Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Act, so that Greenland White-fronted Goose are exempt from that Schedule. The effect of this amendment is to make it an offence in Wales (under section 1 of the Act) to kill or take (or to injure in the course of an attempt to kill) Greenland White-fronted Goose outside the close season for White-fronted Goose.

The Welsh Ministers’ Code of Practice on the carrying out of Regulatory Impact Assessments was considered in relation to this Order. As a result, a regulatory impact assessment has been prepared as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with these Regulations. A copy can be obtained from the Welsh Government (Land, Nature, and Forestry Division), Rhodfa Padarn, Llanbadarn Fawr, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3UR.