Bovine TB: Direction to Natural England - 6 September 2019
Published 6 September 2019
© Crown copyright 2019
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bovine-tb-direction-on-licensing-of-badger-control-operations-in-derbyshire/bovine-tb-direction-to-natural-england-6-september-2019
Direction given by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to Natural England under section 16(1) of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006
1. Background
1.1 By virtue of an agreement under section 78 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (“2006 Act”) dated 29th September 2006 and having effect from 1st October 2006, Natural England is authorised by the Secretary of State to carry out certain functions of the Secretary of State, including those relating to the granting of licences under section 10 of the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 (“1992 Act”) and section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (“1981 Act”).
1.2 The Secretary of State intends to consider further the relationship between the operation of culling and vaccination for the purpose of preventing or controlling the spread of bovine TB in areas such as Derbyshire located in the Edge Area (that area immediately adjacent to the High Risk Area that is not part of the Low Risk Area).
1.3 Pending the conclusion of her consideration of that matter, the Secretary of State is of the view that no new licences authorising the culling of badgers should be granted in the county of Derbyshire.
2. Direction
2.1 The Secretary of State, in exercise of the power conferred by section 16(1) of the 2006 Act, gives the following direction.
2.2 In relation to any application for a licence under section 10(2)(a) of the 1992 Act authorising the killing of badgers, or the taking of badgers for the purpose of killing them, in the county of Derbyshire, no licence shall be granted by Natural England to any person for the duration of this direction.
3. Commencement and duration
3.1 This Direction is given on 6 September 2019 and comes into force with immediate effect.
3.2 This Direction ceases to have effect on 1 May 2020.
Signed by:
Theresa Villiers, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs