In Britain, fragmentary and inconsistent legislation has caused the protection afforded to wild mammals to fall some way behind that of most European countries. Steve Harris argues for legislative review and an end to unnecessarily cruel methods of killing wild mammals.
The 1st December 2024 marked the 70th anniversary of the Protection of Birds Act 1954. This was a major advance in the way that we treat wild birds. Overnight, it became illegal to wilfully, or attempt, to kill, injure or take any wild bird; to take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while in use; or take or destroy an egg of any wild bird.