An expert on environmental law at the University of Dundee this morning welcomed the new legislation on jail sentences for egg thieves announced by the Scottish Executive. "At the moment you can be imprisoned in England for stealing an osprey's egg but in Scotland you just get egg on your face. This however is about to change and it is about time," says Colin Reid, Professor of Environmental Law at the University of Dundee whose new book Nature Conservation Law sets out "need to know" information on wildlife and the environment.
"At present the laws in Scotland are clearly behind those in England", said Professor Reid. "Changes were made there two years ago and there is a definite need to strengthen the law in Scotland. The current law is over 20 years old and a lot has changed since then. The ways in which wildlife is threatened and people's attitudes to conservation are now quite different. There is widespread support for the current moves towards more effective laws. Further changes to improve habitat protection are promised for next year, but it remains to be seen exactly what will be proposed."
Everybody knows that some birds are legally protected, but which ones, and what does the law actually do to protect them? What does the law allow you to do about birds such as seagulls that can be a pest? This is the sort of question answered in "Nature Conservation Law" by Colin Reid.
As well as the laws on wild birds, it explains the law on animals and plants, and looks at the many different ways in which important habitats are protected. Also covered are the responsibilities of various public authorities and the ways in which laws on planning, agriculture and pollution can have an impact on conservation.
Prof. Reid says: "Effective nature conservation can't be limited to a few special species or a few special sites. If we are to be serious about a more sustainable future for our wildlife, we must ensure that conservation gets treated seriously for all species, throughout the countryside and in the towns."
Colin Reid's book is available from the publisher W Green, Edinburgh and from selected bookshops./ENDS