EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order commences provisions of the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (“the Act”).

Article 2(1) appoints 30^th January 2012 for the coming into operation of section 11 of the Act for the purpose only of enabling the Department of the Environment to approve by order certain traps for the purpose of the destruction of certain wild animals.

Article 2(2) appoints 12^th March 2012 for the coming into operation of—

(a) section 11 of the Act, so far as not already commenced by Article 2(1); and

(b) Part 1 of Schedule 3, so far as it repeals section 21 of the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 1972.