Special protection for gameN.I.
37—(1) The Game Preservation Act (Northern Ireland) 1928 is amended as follows.
(2) In section 7 (close seasons) after subsection (3) insert—
“(3A) If it appears to the Department expedient that any game birds should be protected during any period outside the close season for those birds, the Department may make an order with respect to the whole or any specified part of Northern Ireland declaring any period (which shall not in the case of any order exceed 14 days) as a period of special protection for those birds.
(3B) This section shall have effect as if any period of special protection declared under subsection (3A) for any game birds formed part of the close season for those birds.
(3C) Before making an order under subsection (3A) the Department shall consult a person appearing to the Department to be a representative of persons interested in the shooting of game birds of the species proposed to be protected by the order.”.
(3) In section 7C(1) (special protection order for game) after “purchase” insert “ or possession ”.