(This note is not part of the Order)

Section 7 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (“the Act”), together with Regulations made under that section, provide for the registration and ringing or marking of birds that are kept in captivity and are listed in Schedule 4 to the Act.

Article 3 of this Order removes the birds listed in that article from Schedule 4 to the Act. It also removes the reference to hybrids so that Schedule 4 no longer includes hybrids of the species of birds in the list.

From the coming into force of this Order, the birds included in Schedule 4 to the Act will be —

Common name

Scientific name

Buzzard, Honey

Pernis apivorus

Eagle, Golden

Aquila chrysaetos

Eagle, White-tailed

Haliaeetus albicilla

Falcon, Peregrine

Falco peregrinus

Goshawk

Accipiter gentilis

Harrier, Marsh

Circus aeruginosus

Harrier, Montagu's

Circus pygargus

Merlin

Falco columbarius

Osprey

Pandion haliaetus

Article 4 contains a consequential revocation of Article 3 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedule 4) Order 1994 (S.I.1994/1151).

A Regulatory Impact Assessment of the effect that this instrument will have to the costs of business and the voluntary sector has been prepared in respect of this Order. A copy of the Impact Assessment can be obtained from the Department for Environment, Sustainability and Housing. Nature, Access and Marine Unit, Crown Buildings, Northgate Street Aberystwyth, or viewed on the National Assembly for Wales website — www.assemblywales.org.