Biodiversity-Strategy-January-2023

23 7.0 Biodiversity: It’s Our Duty & Our Responsibility In 2011, the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (WANE) 3 in Northern Ireland came into force, amending the Wildlife Order (NI) 1985 and introducing new species to protected lists. The WANE Act also tightened controls on invasive species and increased penalties for wildlife crime. The Act included a significant change for public bodies with the introduction of a new Biodiversity Duty for all public bodies. “It is the duty of every public body, in exercising any functions, to further the conservation of biodiversity so far as is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions.” Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (NI) 2011 What’s involved? The aim of the duty is to raise the profile and visibility of biodiversity and to make it an integral part of policy and decision making. Public bodies, including councils, must consider the following five areas: • Protection of biodiversity • Maintenance of biodiversity • Enhancing biodiversity • Restoring biodiversity • Promoting the understanding of biodiversity both within and outside the organisation These 5 areas will guide our action and become the 5 Governing Principles of our Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. “To restore stability to our planet, we must restore its biodiversity, the very thing that we’ve removed. It’s the only way out of this crisis that we have created. We must re-wild the world.” David Attenborough, Life on our Planet, 2020 7.1 Other Legislation Whist many of the Council’s actions for biodiversity have been delivered to help meet the above legislative requirement, our work also impacts on other key obligations, namely: • The Wildlife Order (NI) 1985, as amended by the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (NI) 2011 (WANE Act) • The Conservation (Natural Habitats etc.) Regulations (NI) 1995, amended in 2012 • The Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands Order (NI) 1985, amended in 1989 • The Environment Order (NI) 2002 • The Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order (NI) 2019 7.2 Responsibility for Delivery Our approach to action for biodiversity in the District depends on partnership working and collaboration internally in Council and externally with stakeholders and the community. Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has worked alongside partners within the Biodiversity Steering Group, local communities and neighbouring Councils in developing and delivering actions within the Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs), to promote, protect and improve biodiversity within the District. The scale and complexity of the prevailing global issues impacting biodiversity mean that the Council alone cannot do everything that is needed. The Council recognises and depends on the critical role played by statutory partners, community and voluntary organisations, and residents, in protecting and enhancing biodiversity within the District. 3 Legislation .gov.uk (2011) Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ nia/2011/15/contents. Accessed 27/08/2021.