The Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order (Northern Ireland) 2019

PART 7 LICENCES

Licences for activities relating to invasive alien species

29.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Article, the Department may grant a licence for the purposes specified in paragraph (2).

(2) The purposes are—

(a) implementation of an eradication measure pursuant to Article 17 (rapid eradication at an early stage of invasion) of the Principal Regulation;

(b) implementation of a management measure pursuant to Article 19 (management measures) of the Principal Regulation;

(c) the commercial use, on a temporary basis, of an invasive alien species as part of a management measure pursuant to Article 19(2) (commercial use of invasive alien species which are already established) of the Principal Regulation; or

(d) the keeping of an animal by a facility (including any necessary ancillary activities such as transportation) until the end of its natural life in accordance with Article 31(4) (transitional provisions for non-commercial owners) of the Principal Regulation.

(3) A licence under this Article may only be granted to such persons as are named in the licence.

(4) A licence under this Article must specify—

(a) the invasive alien species to which the licence relates;

(b) where the Department considers it appropriate, the number or volume of specimens to which the licence relates;

(c) the conditions subject to which the action authorised by the licence may be taken and in particular—

(i) the methods, means and arrangements by which the action authorised by the licence may be taken;

(ii) the area or areas within which the action authorised by the licence may be taken;

(iii) when or over what period the action authorised by the licence may be taken; and

(iv) any other conditions that the Department considers are appropriate.

(5) The Department must not grant a licence under this Article, unless satisfied—

(a) in relation to a licence for a purpose mentioned in paragraph (2)(a), that the licence is subject to such conditions as are, in the opinion of the Department, necessary to meet the aim of ensuring that the eradication plan to which the licence relates will be effective in achieving the complete and permanent removal of the population of the invasive alien species concerned;

(b) in relation to a licence for a purpose mentioned in paragraph (2)(c), that there is strict justification and that all appropriate controls are in place to avoid any further spread of the invasive alien species concerned;

(c) in relation to a licence under paragraph (2)(d), that all appropriate controls are in place to ensure that reproduction or escape of the animal to which the licence relates is not possible.

(6) A licence may be modified, suspended, or revoked at any time by the Department but is otherwise valid for the period stated in the licence.