Wildlife and the law
Wildlife law
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![Bittern Botaurus stellaris, gliding across a reed bed, Suffolk,]()
Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981
The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is the primary legislation which protects animals, plants and habitats in the UK.
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![Early morning mists rise over the Harapan Rainforest, Sumatra, Indonesia]()
The CITES trade regulations
CITES is designed to prevent excessive and unrestricted international trade in wildlife.
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![Baltic sea on a stormy day with heavy rain falling on coastal headland, Gellort, Cape Arkona, Rugen island, Germany's most northerly point]()
UK Border Agency
Customs officers may work with the police or organisations like the RSPB in investigating cases involving specimens which have been illegally imported or sold.
Wild bird crime
Download our bird crime report, as well as finding out more about poisoning, egg collecting and nest robbery.
Working with the law
This section explains more about how the RSPB works with the law and has influenced decisions.
Report a wild bird crime
Follow the link to report wild bird crimes that you have witnessed or heard about from someone else.
Downloads
Offences against wild bird legislation in 2014. PDF, 1.8Mb
Birdcrime 2014Offences against wild bird legislation in 2013. PDF, 1.6Mb
Birdcrime 2013A plain guide to bird protection today listing species on Schedules 1 and 9. PDF, 480Kb
Wild birds and the law - A plain guide to bird protection todayA plain guide to bird protection in Scotland. PDF, 572Kb
Wild Birds and The Law: Scotland