PART IVSupplemental
False statements made for obtaining registration or licence24
A person who, for the purposes of obtaining, whether for himself or another, registration in accordance with regulations made under Article 7(2) or 13(2) or the grant of a licence under Article 18 or 21—
a
makes a statement or representation, or furnishes a document or information, which he knows to be false in a material particular; or
b
recklessly makes a statement or representation, or furnishes a document or information, which is false in a material particular,
he shall be guilty of an offence.
F1Possession of articles for purposes of committing certain offences24A
1
Any person who, for the purposes of committing an offence under Part 2 or 3 (the relevant offence), has in his possession anything capable of being used for committing the relevant offence shall be guilty of an offence and punishable in the same manner as for the relevant offence.
2
References in Articles 25 to 27 to an offence under Part 2 or 3 include references to an offence under this Article committed by reference to such an offence.
Enforcement25
1
If a constable suspects with reasonable cause that any person is committing or has committed an offence under Part II or III, the constable may without warrant—
a
stop and search that person if the constable suspects with reasonable cause that evidence of the commission of the offence is to be found on that person;
b
search or examine any animal or thing which that person may then be using or have in his possession if the constable suspects with reasonable cause that evidence of the commission of the offence is to be found on that animal or thing;
Sub‐para. (c) rep. by 1989 NI 12
d
seize and detain for the purposes of proceedings under this Order any thing which may be evidence of the commission of the offence or may be liable to be forfeited under Article 27.
2
If a constable suspects with reasonable cause that any person is committing an offence under Part II or III, he may, for the purpose of exercising the powers conferred by paragraph (1)F5 or for the purpose of arresting a person under Article 27 of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, for an offence under Part II or Part III, enter any land other than a dwelling-house.
3
If a justice of the peace is satisfied on a sworn complaint in writing that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that—
a
an offence under Article 4, 6, 9 or 16 in respect of which Part II or any order made under it provides for a special penalty;
b
an offence under Article 7, 8, 10, 12(1) or (2), 13, 14, 15, 19, or 23;
has been committed and that evidence of the offence may be found on any premises, he may grant a warrant to any constable (with or without other persons) to enter upon and search those premises for the purpose of obtaining that evidence.
4
Where, under paragraph (1)(d), a constable seizes and detains any animal or any bird, egg or nest, he shall as soon as conveniently may be produce that animal or that bird, egg or nest to a magistrates' court and the court may order the animal or bird, to be sold, liberated or destroyed, or the nest or egg to be sold or destroyed.
5
Where, in relation to any animal or any bird, egg or nest sold under paragraph (4), the person from whom that animal or that bird, egg or nest was seized—
a
is convicted of an offence under Part II or III, the proceeds of the sale shall be added to and dealt with in the same manner as any fine imposed in respect of the offence;
b
is not so convicted, the proceeds of the sale shall be handed over to him.
6
A constable who, in pursuance of an order under paragraph (4), sells, liberates or destroys any animal or any bird, egg or nest seized under paragraph (1)(d), shall not be liable to legal proceedings for any such sale, liberation or destruction or for any loss caused by such sale, liberation or destruction.
F2Powers of constables in connection with samples25A
1
A constable who suspects with reasonable cause that a specimen found by him in the exercise of powers conferred by Article 25 is one in respect of which an offence under Part 2 is being or has been committed may require the taking from it of a sample.
2
A constable who suspects with reasonable cause that an offence under Part 2 is being or has been committed in respect of any specimen (“the relevant specimen”) may require any person to make available for the taking of a sample any specimen (other than the relevant specimen) in that person's possession or control which—
a
is alleged to be, or
b
the constable suspects with reasonable cause to be,
a specimen a sample from which will tend to establish the identity or ancestry of the relevant specimen.
3
Where a sample from a live bird or other animal is to be taken pursuant to a requirement under this Article, any person who has possession or control of the specimen must give the person taking the sample such assistance as he may reasonably require for that purpose.
4
A person is guilty of an offence if he—
a
fails without reasonable excuse to make available any specimen in accordance with a requirement under paragraph (2); or
b
fails without reasonable excuse to give any assistance reasonably required under paragraph (3).
5
No sample may be taken by virtue of this Article from a live bird or other animal except by a veterinary surgeon.
6
No sample may be taken by virtue of this Article from a live bird, other animal or plant unless the person taking it is satisfied on reasonable grounds that taking the sample will not cause lasting harm to the specimen.
7
In this Article—
“sample” means a sample of blood, tissue or other biological material;
“specimen” means—
- a
any bird, other animal or plant, or
- b
any part of, or anything derived from, a bird, other animal or plant.
- a
F3Power of wildlife inspector to enter premises25B
1
In this Article and Article 25C—
“wildlife inspector” means a person authorised in writing under this Article by the Department;
“relevant offence” means an offence under Article 7, 8, 9, 13, 14(2), 15 or 15A.
2
An authorisation under paragraph (1) is subject to any conditions or limitations specified in it.
3
A wildlife inspector may, at any reasonable time, enter and inspect any premises—
a
for the purpose of ascertaining whether a relevant offence is being or has been committed on the premises;
b
for the purpose of—
i
verifying any statement or representation made, or document or information supplied, by an occupier in connection with an application for, or the holding of, a licence or registration under this Order, or
ii
ascertaining whether any condition to which a licence under this Order was subject has been complied with.
4
Nothing in paragraph (3)(a) confers power to enter a dwelling house.
5
A wildlife inspector must, if required to do so, produce evidence of his authority before entering any premises under this Article.
6
A wildlife inspector entering premises under this Article may take with him a veterinary surgeon if the inspector has reasonable grounds for believing that such a person will be needed for the exercise of powers under Article 25C.
7
Any person who, with intent to deceive, falsely pretends to be a wildlife inspector is guilty of an offence.
8
A person is guilty of an offence if he intentionally obstructs a wildlife inspector acting in the exercise of powers conferred by paragraph (3).
Power of wildlife inspector to examine specimens and take samples25C
1
A wildlife inspector may, for the purpose of ascertaining whether a relevant offence is being, or has been, committed in respect of any specimen, require any person who has the specimen in his possession or control to make it available for examination by the inspector or a veterinary surgeon.
2
A wildlife inspector may, for the purpose of ascertaining whether a relevant offence is being or has been committed, require the taking of a sample from a specimen found by him in the exercise of powers conferred by Article 25B in order to determine its identity or ancestry.
3
A wildlife inspector may, for the purpose of ascertaining whether such an offence is being or has been committed in respect of any specimen (“the relevant specimen”), require any person to make available for the taking of a sample any specimen (other than the relevant specimen) in that person's possession or control which—
a
is alleged to be, or
b
which the inspector suspects with reasonable cause to be,
a specimen a sample from which will tend to establish the identity or ancestry of the relevant specimen.
4
Where, pursuant to a requirement under this Article—
a
a live bird or other animal is to be examined, or
b
a sample is to be taken from a live bird or other animal,
a person who has the bird or animal in his possession or control must give the person making the examination or taking the sample such assistance as he may reasonably require for that purpose.
5
No sample may be taken by virtue of this Article from a live bird or other animal except by a veterinary surgeon.
6
No sample may be taken by virtue of this Article from a live bird, other animal or plant unless the person taking it is satisfied on reasonable grounds that taking the sample will not cause lasting harm to the specimen.
7
A person is guilty of an offence if he—
a
intentionally obstructs a wildlife inspector acting in the exercise of powers conferred by paragraph (2), or
b
fails without reasonable excuse to make available any specimen in accordance with a requirement under paragraph (1) or (3), or
c
fails without reasonable excuse to give any assistance reasonably required under paragraph (4).
8
In this Article—
“sample” means a sample of blood, tissue or other biological material;
“specimen” means—
- a
any bird, other animal or plant, or
- b
any part of, or anything derived from, a bird, other animal or plant.
- a
Summary prosecutions26
1
This Article applies to—
a
any offence under Article 4(1) or 16(1), involving the killing, injuring or taking of any wild bird or the taking of an egg of such a bird;
b
any offence under Article 10(1) or 16(1) involving the killing, injuring or taking of any wild animal;
c
any offence under Article 14(1) or 16(1) involving the picking, removal, uprooting or destruction of any wild plant;
d
any offence under Article 19(1) involving the killing, injuring or taking of any deer.
2
Summary proceedings for an offence to which this Article applies may be brought within a period of six months from the date on which evidence sufficient in the opinion of the prosecutor to warrant the proceedings came to his knowledge; but no such proceedings shall be brought by virtue of this Article more than two years after the commission of the offence.
3
For the purposes of this Article a certificate signed by or on behalf of the prosecutor and stating the date on which such evidence as aforesaid came to his knowledge shall be conclusive evidence of that fact; and a certificate stating that matter and purporting to be so signed shall be deemed to be so signed unless the contrary is proved.
Penalties and forfeitures27
1
Subject to paragraph (7), a person guilty of an offence under Article 4, 6, 7, 9, 12(6) or (7) or 16 shall be liable on summary conviction—
a
in a case where it is provided that he shall be liable to a special penalty, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale,
b
in any other case, to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
2
Subject to paragraph (7), a person guilty of an offence under Article 10, 12(1) or (2), or 13(1) or (2) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.
3
Subject to paragraph (7), a person guilty of an offence under Article 8(1), 14 or 24 shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.
4
Subject to paragraph (7), a person guilty of an offence under Article 19, 22(1), (2) or (5) or 23(2) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or to both.
5
Subject to paragraph (7), a person guilty of an offence under Article 8(3) or 23(1) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
6
A person guilty of an offence under Article 15 shall be liable—
a
on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;
b
on conviction on indictment, to a fine.
7
Where an offence to which paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4) or (5) applies was committed in respect of more than one bird, nest, egg, other animal, plant or other thing, the maximum fine which may be imposed under that paragraph shall be determined as if the person convicted had been convicted of a separate offence in respect of each bird, nest, egg, animal, plant or thing.
8
The court by which any person is convicted of an offence under this Order—
a
shall order the forfeiture of any bird, nest, egg, other animal, plant or other thing in respect of which the offence was committed; and
b
may order the forfeiture of any vehicle, animal, weapon or other thing which was used to commit the offence and, in the case of an offence under Article 15, any animal or plant which is of the same kind as that in respect of which the offence was committed and was found in his possession.
9
Any offence under this Order shall, for the purpose of conferring jurisdiction, be deemed to have been committed in any place where the offender is found or to which he is first brought after the commission of the offence.
F4Application to the Crown27A
1
Subject as follows, Parts 2 and 3 and regulations and orders made under those Parts bind the Crown to the full extent authorised or permitted by the constitutional laws of Northern Ireland.
2
No contravention by the Crown of any provision of this Order makes the Crown criminally liable; but the High Court may, on the application of any person appearing to the Court to have an interest, declare unlawful an act or omission of the Crown which constitutes such a contravention.
3
Despite paragraph (2), this Order applies to persons in the public service of the Crown as it applies to other persons.
Power to vary Schedules28
1
The Department may by order, either generally or with respect to particular provisions of Part II, particular areas of Northern Ireland or particular times of the year, add any bird to, or remove any bird from, any of or any Part of Schedules 1 to 4.
2
An order under paragraph (1) adding any bird to Part II of Schedule 1 or Part I of Schedule 2 may prescribe a close season in the case of that bird for the purposes of Articles 4 and 5; and any close season so prescribed shall commence on a date not later than 1st February and end on a date not earlier than 31st August.
3
The Department may, on a representation made to it by the Committee for Nature Conservation, by order either generally or with respect to particular provisions of Part II, particular areas of Northern Ireland or particular times of the year—
a
add to Schedule 5 or 7 any animal or add to Schedule 8 any plant which, in the opinion of the Department, is in danger of extinction in Northern Ireland or is likely to become so endangered unless conservation measures are taken; and
b
remove from Schedule 5 or 7 any animal, or remove from Schedule 8 any plant which, in the opinion of the Department, is no longer so endangered or likely to become so endangered.
4
The Department may by order, either generally or with respect to particular provisions of this Part or particular times of the year—
a
add any animals to, or remove any animals from, Schedule 5 or Schedule 6; and
b
add any plants to, or remove any plants from, Schedule 8.
5
The Department may by order, either generally or with respect to particular areas of Northern Ireland—
a
add any animals to, or remove any animals from, Part I of Schedule 9; and
b
add any plants to, or remove any plants from, Part II of that Schedule.
6
The Department may by order amend Schedule 10 by the addition of deer of any species not mentioned in that Schedule and of a close season for any description of deer of that species.
7
The Department may by order amend Schedule 11 by adding any firearm or ammunition or by altering the description of, or deleting, any firearm or ammunition mentioned in that Schedule.
Regulations, orders and notices29
1
Regulations and orders made by the Department under this Order (other than orders made under Articles 4(10), 6, 12 and 16), shall be subject to negative resolution.
2
An order made under Article 6 or 12 shall be subject to affirmative resolution.
3
Before making any order the Department—
a
shall consult the Committee for Nature Conservation;
b
shall, by such means as the Department may think appropriate, give to any district council or other person affected an opportunity to submit objections or representations with respect to the subject-matter of the order; and
c
may, if the Department thinks fit, cause a public inquiry to be held.
4
The Department shall give consideration to any proposals for the making by it of an order with respect to any area which may be submitted to it by a district council whose district includes that area.
5
Notice of the making of an order shall be published by the Department in the Belfast Gazette.
Article 30—Amendments and repeals