DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (News Release ref :
214/07) issued by The Government News Network on 12 July 2007
New regulations to
reform game licensing in England and Wales were announced today by Defra.
The new regulations will remove restrictions for those shooting
and dealing in game.
Minister for Biodiversity, Joan Ruddock said:
"It is only right that we have legislation that is fit for
modern times. The new regulations will make the shooting of and
dealing in game less bureaucratic.
"By cutting all this red tape, we are improving consumer
choice by enabling game dealers to sell locally produced game all
year round."
This reform to simplify regulation is part of Defra's
commitment to reduce its administrative burdens by 25% by 2010.
The Regulations which come into force on 1 August 2007 will:
* remove the restriction on dealing in game birds and venison
during the close season. This means that any person will be
allowed to sell game and venison all year round provided the
animals in question were only killed in the open season;
* remove the requirement for a licence to kill or take game; and
* remove the requirement for two licences for game dealers to
sell game.
More guidance for game dealers and retailers on implementing the
new regulations can be viewed at http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/gamelicensing
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The legislation relating to the shooting and dealing in game
("game" covers pheasants, partridges, grouse, heath or
moor game, black game, woodcock, snipe, hares, rabbits and deer)
dates back to the 19th Century - the principal Acts being the Game
Act 1831 and the Game licences Act 1860.
2. In addition to removing various requirements and restrictions,
the Regulatory Reform Order will introduce a new criminal offence
to sell game birds which have been unlawfully killed or taken
where the person concerned knew or had reason to believe that they
were so killed or taken. The new offence is necessary to maintain
the protection afforded to game birds during the close season
whilst allowing the sale of game lawfully taken during the open
season to be sold all year round.
3. Protections for wildlife during close seasons are not linked
to the requirement for a game licence and these protections would
be retained. Penalties for poaching game and shooting it outside
the relevant open season and trespassing in search of game will be retained.
Public enquiries 08459 335577;
Press notices are available on our website http://www.defra.gov.uk
Defra's aim is sustainable development
To subscribe or unsubscribe to Defra's mailing list go to:
http://www.gnn.gov.uk/ Once
on the GNN website see Sign up
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR
Website
http://www.defra.gov.uk