Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2012 (S.S.I. No. 228 of 2012).

These Regulations amend in respect of Scotland the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 in relation with nature conservation administration and policy. Regulation 3 now provides that public bodies must exercise their functions relevant to nature conservation so as to comply with the Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora and Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conservation of wild birds. New duties are imposed on public bodies in relation to wild bird habitat; regulation 3B (review and guidance) requires Scottish Natural Heritage to review and report on whether the obligations under regulation 3A have been met, and the Scottish Ministers to provide guidance in relation to those obligations. The Regulations also provide with respect to research and scientific work and amend the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.