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Daera 'possibly failed' to comply with law over wild birds

Daniel Logan
BBC News NI
Getty Images Two white feathered Swans float in a body of blue water. They face the camera with yellow and Back beaks. Ripples can be seen as they swim towards the camera, with their reflection visible in the water. Getty Images
Whooper swans are among the species that Daera may have failed to protect according to the report

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) may have failed to comply with environmental law, according to a new report.

It is in relation to special protection areas for at-risk wild birds, such as puffins, whooper swans and light-bellied Brent geese.

An investigation from the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) had been previously launched in March 2024, following potential failures to implement recommendations given by a conservation body.

Daera said it welcomes the OEP's work and will be "considering the investigation findings", whilst recognising "that there is much more to do to protect our natural environment and the habitats that wild birds and other wildlife need to survive and thrive".

The OEP has issued Daera with a notice, which they must respond to within two months.

A full response will be delivered by the deadline of 5 August

Getty Images A white bellied bird, with black feathers, is photographed side-on. It's beak is a red and navy pattern. Its face is dark grey, with black eyes. It stands on a green patch of grass with the blue sky beyond it. Getty Images
The puffin needs special protection

Helen Venn, the OEP chief regulatory officer has said that the government has a legal obligation to maintain populations of wild birds and ensure they have enough suitable habitat.

Ms Venn said "our investigation has found what we believe to be possible failures to comply with environmental law by DAERA relating to the protection of wild birds".

She noted the decline in wild birds across Northern Ireland, adding that recent studies have placed "a quarter of birds found on the island of Ireland on the Birds of Conservation Concern Red List".

The investigation in March 2024 looked into failures to implement recommendations given by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and other conservation public bodies on the classification and adaptation of Special Protection Areas (SPAs)

Getty Images 6 small grey and black geese stand in the shallow area of dark blue sea. A small patch of dark brown sand can be seen behind them. Getty Images
Brent geese are among the at-risk wild birds

A parallel investigation is looking at the same issues relating to England, and information notices have also been issued to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Secretary of State (SoS) and Natural England.

What is the OEP?

The Office for Environmental Protection, external is a new environmental governance body, which holds the government and other public authorities in England and Northern Ireland to account on their environmental protection and improvement.

It also covers reserved UK-wide matters.

It advises the government and Northern Ireland Assembly on any changes to environmental law.

It has statutory powers to investigate and enforces compliance with environmental law where needed.

That enforcement can include legal action if unresolved through compliance with recommendations.