HL Deb 17 April 1985 vol 462 cc792-3WA
Lord Chelwood

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in view of the fact that curlews and redshanks were given protection as a result of decisions by Parliament in 1981, the reversal of which would be contrary to the EEC Birds Directive, they will give an undertaking not to reverse those decisions without giving both Houses of Parliament the opportunity again to debate the question.

Lord Skelmersdale

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has powers under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to amend Part I of Schedule 2 to that Act by order, subject to negative resolution. There are no plans at present to add the curlew and redshank to Part I of the schedule, but in the light of recent interest the Nature Conservancy Council has been asked to carry out a review on the conservation status of the curlew and redshank.

The EC Birds Directive does not of itself prohibit the hunting of these species in the United Kingdom.