Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011

Introduction of new species

13.—(1) Article 15 of the Wildlife Order (introduction of new species) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph (1)—

(a) in sub-paragraph (a) after “wild state” insert “or is a hybrid of any animal of that kind”;

(b) in sub-paragraph (b) after “Schedule 9” insert “or is a hybrid of any animal included in that Part”.

(3) In paragraph (2) after “Schedule 9” insert “or is a hybrid of any plant included in that Part”.

(4) At the end add—

“(7) The Department may issue guidance (or approve guidance issued by others) for the purpose of providing persons with recommendations, advice and information regarding—

(a) any animal mentioned in paragraph (1),

(b) any plant mentioned in paragraph (2),

and may issue revisions of any guidance issued by it (or approve revisions of guidance issued by others).

(8) A person who fails to comply with any guidance issued or approved under paragraph (7) is not by reason of that failure liable in any criminal or civil proceedings.

(9) But any such guidance is admissible in evidence in such proceedings and a court may take account of any failure to comply with it in determining any questions in the proceedings.”.