SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 2Improving the natural environment: Northern Ireland

PART 3Interpretation

I19Meaning of “natural environment”

In this Schedule the “natural environment” means—

a

plants, wild animals and other living organisms,

b

their habitats,

c

land (except buildings or other structures), air and water,

and the natural systems, cycles and processes through which they interact.

Annotations:
Commencement Information
I1

Sch. 2 para. 9 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 147(3)

I210Meaning of “environmental protection”

In this Schedule “environmental protection” means any of the following—

a

protection of the natural environment from the effects of human activity;

b

protection of people from the effects of human activity on the natural environment;

c

maintenance, restoration or enhancement of the natural environment;

d

monitoring, assessing, considering, advising or reporting on anything in paragraphs (a) to (c).

Annotations:
Commencement Information
I2

Sch. 2 para. 10 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 147(3)

I311General interpretation

1

In this Schedule—

  • “current environmental improvement plan” has the meaning given by paragraph 1(8);

  • the “Department” means the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland;

  • “environmental improvement plan” has the meaning given by paragraph 1 (and see also paragraph 3(10));

  • “environmental principles” has the meaning given by paragraph 6(5);

  • “improving the natural environment”, in relation to an environmental improvement plan, is to be read in accordance with paragraph 1(5);

  • “making” policy includes developing, adopting or revising policy;

  • “Minister of the Crown” has the same meaning as in the Ministers of the Crown Act 1975;

  • F1“OEP” has the meaning given by section 22;

  • “policy” includes proposals for legislation, but does not include an administrative decision taken in relation to a particular person or case (for example, a decision on an application for planning permission, funding or a licence, or a decision about regulatory enforcement);

  • “policy statement on environmental principles” has the meaning given by paragraph 6.

2

Section 41(3) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 (c. 33 (N.I.)) applies in relation to the laying of a document before the Northern Ireland Assembly under this Schedule, as it applies in relation to the laying of a statutory document under an Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly.