The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017

Research

136.—(1) The appropriate authority must take such steps to encourage research and scientific work as it considers necessary—

(a) having regard to the objectives in Article 2 (aims of the Directive), and the obligation in Article 11 (surveillance), of the Habitats Directive; and

(b) for the purpose of the protection or management, and in relation to the use, of any population of wild birds.

(2) The appropriate authority must supply such information as it considers appropriate to the European Commission and, in the case of information supplied for the purposes of the Habitats Directive, to member States, to further the proper co-ordination of research carried out the European Commission or by member States for the purposes of the Directives.

(3) In deciding what steps to take under paragraph (1), the appropriate authority must have particular regard to the need for research and scientific work—

(a) on the subjects listed in Annex V to the new Wild Birds Directive (subjects for research); or

(b) which may be required to implement Articles 4 and 10 of the Habitats Directive (classification of special protection areas, research, respectively).