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The Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985

This legislation aims to protect wild animals, birds, plants and their habitats. It is therefore an offence to kill, injure, disturb, take or sell:
  • specially protected wild animals, such as badger, otter and red squirrel;
  • all wild birds, their nests and eggs (with certain exceptions for pest and sporting species);
  • to uproot, pick or sell specially protected plants.
Enforcement is by the Police Service for Northern Ireland and maximum penalty is £5,000.
Further information on The Wildlife Order 1985 is available on the Environment and Heritage Service[external site] website.