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Wild Animal Welfare White Paper

 

We are seeking views on two targeted measures to address specific animal welfare concerns relating to seals and hare in Wales.

The questions below are grouped by section. Please respond to the questions that are relevant to you. You do not need to answer every question.

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Proposals to introduce a seal disturbance offence

Question 1: Do you agree that Wales should introduce an offence of intentionally disturbing seals?

 

Question 2: Do you agree that Wales should introduce an offence of recklessly disturbing seals?

 

Question 3: Do you agree that the proposed offence should apply wherever seals occur in Wales, rather than only at designated locations such as haul out sites?

 

Question 4: Do you agree that exceptions to the offence should exist in certain circumstances? If so, are the specific exceptions in section 10 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 appropriate and sufficient for a seal disturbance offence? If not, why? 

 

Question 5: Do you agree that licences should be available in certain limited circumstances to permit activities that would otherwise constitute a disturbance offence? If so, do you consider the licensing grounds in section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 appropriate and sufficient? If not, why?

 

Question 6: Do you have any views in relation to the likely costs, benefits, impacts or the implementation or practical operation of the proposal?

 

Proposals for a close season for hare 

Question 7: Do you agree that Wales should introduce a statutory close season for hare, meaning it would be unlawful to intentionally kill, injure or take hare during the specified period?

 

Question 8: Do you agree that Wales should introduce a statutory close season for hare, meaning it would be unlawful to recklessly kill, injure or take hare during the specified period?

 

Question 9: Do you agree with the proposed close season dates of 1 February to 30 September? Please provide reasons for your answer, including any views on alternative dates.

 

Question 10: Do you have any views on the effect of the proposed measures upon existing rights of occupiers of land to kill and take hare on their occupied land? 

 

Question 11: Do you agree that exceptions should be available in certain circumstances? If so, do you consider the specific exceptions in section 10 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 appropriate and sufficient for a introducing an offence of intentionally or recklessly killing, injuring or taking hare during the close season? If not, why? 

 

Question: 12:  Do you agree that licences should be available in certain limited circumstances to permit activities that would otherwise constitute an offence? If so, do you consider the licensing grounds in section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 appropriate and sufficient? If not, why?

 

Question 13: Do you agree that Wales should make connected offences restricting what a person can do with a hare (at any time) if it is unlawfully taken, injured or killed during the close season in line with other protections in the 1981 Act? If not, why?

 

Question 14: Do you have any views in relation to the likely costs, benefits, impacts or the implementation or practical operation of the proposal?

 

Regulatory Impact Assessment and Integrated Impact Assessment
 

Question 15: Do you have any information or evidence that would be helpful to inform the Regulatory Impact Assessment and/or Integrated Impact Assessment that has been published alongside the White Paper? If so, can you please provide it. 

Please select one: 

 

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