In Britain, all bat species and their roosts are legally protected, by both domestic and European legislation. This means that under Regulation 43 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended) you may be committing a criminal offence if you:
- Deliberately capture, injure, or kill a bat.
- Deliberately disturb a bat.
- Damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of a bat (bats do not have to be in occupation at the time).
- Possess or control a bat.
- Transport a bat.
- Sell or exchange a bat.
- Offer for sale or exchange any bat, alive or dead, or any part of a bat.
Also, under Section 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), you may be committing a criminal offence against bats if you:
- Intentionally or recklessly disturb a bat occupying a structure or place used for shelter or protection.
- Intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to any structure or place used for shelter or protection by bats.
Please note that the Wildlife and Countryside Act is not applicable in Scotland.
Please refer to the legislation for the precise wording - the above is a brief summary only
- Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) (as amended)
- Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2017) (as amended).
For guidance on how to complain if environmental law is being broken please DOWNLOAD:
GREENER UK - How to complain if an environmental law is broken
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