The Law Commission announces a wildlife legal review.

Natural England has been tasked with attempting to unify wildlife legislation, which is currently applied through various primary and secondary instruments, to lessen confusion for the non-lawyer, and to save administrative costs borne by Natural England through a simpler licensing system.

Wildlife law, including the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which is now full of amendments, has become unwieldy, say Natural England.  It has become necessary to ensure that the law in this area is compliant with EU requirements and can be easily amended in response to future needs.

This work will initially go to DEFRA for consultation in 2013 with a view to a new draft bill by mid 2014.

http://www.justice.gov.uk/lawcommission/docs/lc330_eleventh_programme.pdf