34Functions of national or international significanceU.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
I1S. 34 in force at 1.10.2006 by S.I. 2006/2541, art. 2 (with Sch.)