Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16)

Part 2 U.K. Nature conservation in the UK

Coordinated functions U.K.

34 Functions of national or international significance U.K.

(1) The UK conservation bodies have the functions described in subsection (2), but those functions may be discharged only through the joint committee.

(2) The functions are—

(a) providing advice to the appropriate authorities on the development and implementation of policies for or affecting any nature conservation matter which—

(i) arises throughout the United Kingdom and raises issues common to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland,

(ii) arises in one or more (but not all) of those places and affects the interests of the United Kingdom as a whole, or

(iii) arises outside the United Kingdom;

(b) providing advice to any persons and disseminating knowledge about any matter falling within paragraph (a)(i), (ii) or (iii);

(c) establishing common standards throughout the United Kingdom for the monitoring of nature conservation and for research into nature conservation and the analysis of the resulting information;

(d) commissioning or supporting (whether by financial means or otherwise) research which the joint committee thinks is relevant to any matter mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c).

(3) “The appropriate authorities” means—

(a) the Secretary of State (or any other Minister of the Crown),

(b) the National Assembly for Wales,

(c) the Scottish Ministers, and

(d) the relevant Northern Ireland department.

Commencement Information

I1 S. 34 in force at 1.10.2006 by S.I. 2006/2541, art. 2 (with Sch.)

35 Advice from joint committee to UK conservation body U.K.

(1) The joint committee may give advice or information to any of the UK conservation bodies on any matter which—

(a) is connected with the functions of that UK conservation body, and

(b) in the opinion of the joint committee—

(i) arises throughout the United Kingdom and raises issues common to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland,

(ii) arises in one or more (but not all) of those places and affects the interests of the United Kingdom as a whole, or

(iii) arises outside the United Kingdom.

(2) In discharging their functions relating to nature conservation, the UK conservation bodies must have regard to any advice given to them under subsection (1).

Commencement Information

I2 S. 35 in force at 1.10.2006 by S.I. 2006/2541, art. 2 (with Sch.)

36 GB functions with respect to wildlife U.K.

(1) The GB conservation bodies have the functions described in subsection (2), but those functions may be discharged only through the joint committee.

(2) The functions are—

(a) those under sections 22(3) and 24(1) of the 1981 Act (listing of protected animals and plants);

(b) commissioning or supporting (whether by financial means or otherwise) research which the joint committee thinks is relevant to those functions.

(3) “The 1981 Act” means the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (c. 69).

Commencement Information

I3 S. 36 in force at 1.10.2006 by S.I. 2006/2541, art. 2 (with Sch.)

37 UK conservation bodies: incidental powers for UK purposes, etc. U.K.

(1) Each of the UK conservation bodies may do anything that appears to it to be conducive or incidental to its functions under this Part.

(2) In particular each of them may for the purposes of its functions under this Part—

(a) acquire or dispose of property;

(b) accept gifts;

(c) undertake research directly related to those functions if it appears appropriate to do so.

(3) Nothing in any of the enactments concerning the functions of the UK conservation bodies prevents any of them—

(a) if requested to do so by any of the others, from giving advice or information to the other, or

(b) from giving advice or information to the joint committee.

(4) “Enactment” includes an Act of the Scottish Parliament and Northern Ireland legislation.

Commencement Information

I4 S. 37 in force at 1.10.2006 by S.I. 2006/2541, art. 2 (with Sch.)