AQW 7786/09

Mrs Naomi Long
Alliance Party
East Belfast

Tabled Date: 15/05/2009
Answered On Date: 27/05/2009
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of the Environment how many offenders have been prosecuted under the terms of the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 for taking, damaging or destroying the nests of any wild bird while the nest is in use or being built.

Answer:

I understand that the PSNI does not keep records of prosecutions taken under the Wildlife Order (Northern Ireland) 1985 for taking, damaging or destroying the nests of any wild birds while the nest is in use or being built.

However, I am aware that in December 2008 a building contractor was convicted in Armagh Magistrates Court of destroying the nest of a wild bird and was fined £200.

Officials in the Northern Ireland Environment Agency regularly give advice to the general public and to arboriculturalists to ensure that damage to nests does not occur.