We do not have leave to appeal as we speak, so there is no guarantee that there will be an appeal in this case. We thought that with this Bill going through Parliament, it was important that the law should be clarified. That is why I genuinely welcome the debate that...

We do not have leave to appeal as we speak, so there is no guarantee that there will be an appeal in this case. We thought that with this Bill going through Parliament, it was important that the law should be clarified. That is why I genuinely welcome the debate that...

Clause 55 provides a general power for Natural England or the Countryside Council for Wales to put up signs or notices relating to the site on land within the SSSI. They will be able to maintain the signs and remove them and it will be an offence for any other person to...

Clause 55 provides a general power for Natural England or the Countryside Council for Wales to put up signs or notices relating to the site on land within the SSSI. They will be able to maintain the signs and remove them and it will be an offence for any other person to...

I am grateful to the noble Baroness for giving way. I am advised that the Destructive Imported Animals Act 1932 does not have anything to do with the bushmeat offences, which, as the noble Baroness rightly says, have annoyed and upset people over the years.

I am grateful to the noble Baroness for giving way. I am advised that the Destructive Imported Animals Act 1932 does not have anything to do with the bushmeat offences, which, as the noble Baroness rightly says, have annoyed and upset people over the years.

The amendment seeks to remove the upper time limit for bringing summary proceedings for offences against the Destructive Imported Animals Act 1932. The Bill already extends the present requirement to bring summary proceedings for offences under the 1932 Act within six months of the commission of the offence. Under the Bill, summary proceedings...

The amendment seeks to remove the upper time limit for bringing summary proceedings for offences against the Destructive Imported Animals Act 1932. The Bill already extends the present requirement to bring summary proceedings for offences under the 1932 Act within six months of the commission of the offence. Under the Bill, summary proceedings...

I do not know the answer to the noble Baroness’s question with regard to a list of SSSIs. I am advised that there is such a list. I do not know how long it is but I presume that it is fairly long. We shall put a copy of it in the Library at...

I do not know the answer to the noble Baroness’s question with regard to a list of SSSIs. I am advised that there is such a list. I do not know how long it is but I presume that it is fairly long. We shall put a copy of it in the Library at...

moved Amendment No. 300:"After Clause 54, insert the following new clause—" ““DENOTIFICATION    In section 28D of the 1981 Act (denotification), in subsection (1), for ““no longer”” substitute ““not””.”” The noble Lord said: By virtue of the improvements brought about to the SSSI legislation by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, Parliament enabled the conservation bodies to...

moved Amendment No. 300:"After Clause 54, insert the following new clause—" ““DENOTIFICATION    In section 28D of the 1981 Act (denotification), in subsection (1), for ““no longer”” substitute ““not””.”” The noble Lord said: By virtue of the improvements brought about to the SSSI legislation by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, Parliament enabled the conservation bodies to...

I understand the noble Earl’s point. I want to take it away, and I will write to him with a considered view on what he says, but I am not prepared at the moment to concede his point from the Dispatch Box.

I understand the noble Earl’s point. I want to take it away, and I will write to him with a considered view on what he says, but I am not prepared at the moment to concede his point from the Dispatch Box.

The amendment as drafted would allow the taking of a sample from a seal for the purpose of testing for disease. It consequently raises questions about how this proposed power would be used in relation to live seals. Wildlife inspectors do not have routine contact with live seals, and in...

The amendment as drafted would allow the taking of a sample from a seal for the purpose of testing for disease. It consequently raises questions about how this proposed power would be used in relation to live seals. Wildlife inspectors do not have routine contact with live seals, and in...

moved Amendment No. 298:"Page 63, line 20, at end insert—" ““PART 3 CONSTABLE’S SEARCH WARRANT POWER EXTENDED TO CERTAIN OTHER ACTS 12   (1)   Section 19(3) of the 1981 Act (issue of search warrants for purpose of obtaining evidence of offence) applies in relation to an offence under each of the Acts mentioned in sub-paragraph (2) as it applies...

moved Amendment No. 298:"Page 63, line 20, at end insert—" ““PART 3 CONSTABLE’S SEARCH WARRANT POWER EXTENDED TO CERTAIN OTHER ACTS 12   (1)   Section 19(3) of the 1981 Act (issue of search warrants for purpose of obtaining evidence of offence) applies in relation to an offence under each of the Acts mentioned in sub-paragraph (2) as it applies...

The lack of current powers under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, as it was passed, is a major concern to the police when tackling crimes, particularly badger-baiting. The amendment will bring the Act into line with the provisions introduced in Scotland under an Act that I am sure the noble Duke...

The lack of current powers under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, as it was passed, is a major concern to the police when tackling crimes, particularly badger-baiting. The amendment will bring the Act into line with the provisions introduced in Scotland under an Act that I am sure the noble Duke...

I apologise very much to the Committee that the letter has not arrived. I made sure that it was sent out early this morning from my office. I really should have hoped that it would reach—as it was sent to—all noble Lords who have taken part in this Committee stage, whether they were...

I apologise very much to the Committee that the letter has not arrived. I made sure that it was sent out early this morning from my office. I really should have hoped that it would reach—as it was sent to—all noble Lords who have taken part in this Committee stage, whether they were...

I have listened carefully to everything that has been said in this debate by the noble Baroness in moving her amendment, and the different points of view round the Committee. I shall read Hansard with extreme care before deciding what wording the government amendment should have at Report stage. I do not intend...

I have listened carefully to everything that has been said in this debate by the noble Baroness in moving her amendment, and the different points of view round the Committee. I shall read Hansard with extreme care before deciding what wording the government amendment should have at Report stage. I do not intend...

It is an unfortunate situation, but the fact remains that the Countryside Agency has made a fair point. It is much better to get it right rather than to bang ahead with an amendment that if carried turned out not to be workable. While I apologise to the Committee, we have...

It is an unfortunate situation, but the fact remains that the Countryside Agency has made a fair point. It is much better to get it right rather than to bang ahead with an amendment that if carried turned out not to be workable. While I apologise to the Committee, we have...

I hope that I made that clear earlier, but I am happy to do so again now.

I hope that I made that clear earlier, but I am happy to do so again now.

Ultimately—in the last analysis.

Ultimately—in the last analysis.

As I said, there was much more that we could do. It is only stating the reality that, while the trade is allowed to continue, it is ultimately for the exporting country to take the measures to regulate those activities. That is what I hope I said earlier. That does not, of course,...

As I said, there was much more that we could do. It is only stating the reality that, while the trade is allowed to continue, it is ultimately for the exporting country to take the measures to regulate those activities. That is what I hope I said earlier. That does not, of course,...

I look forward to debating the issue that the noble Baroness, Lady Miller, mentioned with her when the Animal Welfare Bill is debated in this House, which—who knows?—may not be that far away. It is a joy that we look forward to with eager anticipation. I am grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Byford,...

I look forward to debating the issue that the noble Baroness, Lady Miller, mentioned with her when the Animal Welfare Bill is debated in this House, which—who knows?—may not be that far away. It is a joy that we look forward to with eager anticipation. I am grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Byford,...

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do now again resolve itself into Committee on this Bill. Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to. House in Committee accordingly. [The CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES in the Chair.] Clause 41 [Biodiversity lists and action (England)]:

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do now again resolve itself into Committee on this Bill. Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to. House in Committee accordingly. [The CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES in the Chair.] Clause 41 [Biodiversity lists and action (England)]:

I am grateful to the noble Baroness for her intervention. I will try to find the answer for her—if not today, then shortly. CITES is implemented within the EU and, we believe, provides a necessary mechanism for protecting species against over-exploitation through unsustainable trade. There is a general view that it is...

I am grateful to the noble Baroness for her intervention. I will try to find the answer for her—if not today, then shortly. CITES is implemented within the EU and, we believe, provides a necessary mechanism for protecting species against over-exploitation through unsustainable trade. There is a general view that it is...

No one can fail to be impressed by the passion with which the noble Baroness, Lady Miller, moved her amendment or the way in which the noble Baroness, Lady Young, spoke in support of it. The strength of feeling on this issue was demonstrated also by the noble Duke in his few...

No one can fail to be impressed by the passion with which the noble Baroness, Lady Miller, moved her amendment or the way in which the noble Baroness, Lady Young, spoke in support of it. The strength of feeling on this issue was demonstrated also by the noble Duke in his few...