Duty to Conserve Biodiversity
- 1.— (1) 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.
- (2) In complying with subsection (1), a public body must in
particular have regard to any strategy designated under
- section 2(1).
- (3) Conserving biodiversity includes—
- (a) in relation to any species of flora or fauna, restoring or
enhancing a population of that species;
- (b) in relation to any type of habitat, restoring or enhancing the
habitat.
- (4) The Department may issue guidance containing recommendations,
advice and information for the assistance of public bodies in complying
with the duty under subsection (1).
- (5) In this section "public body" means—
- (a) a Northern Ireland department;
- (b) a department of the government of the United Kingdom;
- (d) a statutory undertaker within the meaning of the Planning
(Northern Ireland) Order 1991 (NI 11);
- (e) any other body established or constituted under a statutory
provision.