Q25: I want to demolish a barn on my land and there are bats living there, what do I have to do?

Organised pest control will keep the numbers of foxes down. There are many exemptions to the ban on fox hunting, primarily to protect damage to livestock, game and wild birds, growing timber, fisheries and other property. These exemptions allow the shooting of wild mammals (not just foxes) if certain conditions defined in the Hunting Act 2004 have been met.

Please see the links in Related Information for further information. There is also a link to the RSPCA website as they provide guidance on how to deal with any foxes in your area and how to deter their presence.

There are strict regulations with regards to bat conservation that you need to be aware of prior to starting any project of this nature. In England, Natural England can grant what is known as a European Protected Species (EPS) Licence, which may allow you to carry out the work subject to certain conditions. In Wales, the issuing authority is the Welsh Government (links can be found in 'Related Information').

In order to obtain the licence, you will need to gain the services of an Environmental Consultant who will help you to plan what will happen to the bats. Bats are a protected species and the licence will not be granted if there is no proposal included for re-homing the bats.

If work is carried out without consulting the above organisations, you may commit a criminal offence and could be liable for a large fine or a custodial sentence.

For more detailed advice on this subject please contact the Bat Conservation Trust, linked in related information.

As a European Protected Species (EPS ), there are strict regulations with regards to bat conservation that you need to be aware of prior to starting any project of this nature. In England, a government agency called Natural England offer advice on such matters and may arrange a visit your home to offer you the necessary help. Their advice may be to wait until the bats have left for the autumn to carry out your work, or to suggest the use of bat boxes to re-home the bats.

In Wales, the Welsh Government is responsible for monitoring any disturbance of bats and, like Natural England, they are able to grant a licence for work to be carried out in certain circumstances. You must not go ahead and carry out the work without first consulting the appropriate authority as you will be committing a criminal offence and could be liable for a large fine or custodial sentence.

For more detailed advice on this subject please contact the Bat Conservation Trust, linked in the related information section.

Care should be taken in buying animals or birds from adverts in the newspapers or online. Below are examples of steps that should be taken with respect to particular birds and animals.

Barn Owl - it is illegal to sell a barn owl that is not captive bred and close ringed. If you are thinking of buying a barn owl then it must be accompanied by an Article 10 certificate (issued by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs) (DEFRA). The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) do not advocate the buying of owls as they do not make good domestic pets.

Bird of Prey - the same applies as with barn owls, the bird of prey must be ringed and accompanied by the Article 10 certificate. If the bird of prey is a Honey Buzzard, Golden Eagle, White Tailed Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Montagu's Harrier, Osprey, Goshawk, Peregrine Falcon or Merlin they must also be registered with DEFRA.

Tortoise – Depending on the species of tortoise you may again require an Article 10 certificate. If you are going to buy a tortoise make sure it is from a reputable breeder and a certificate (if required). Buying a tortoise is not as simple as it may appear as some are now endangered species. Please see the Tortoise Trust website in the related information, for further information on buying and caring for tortoises.

The RSPCA state that if the deer is uninjured it should be left alone and will more than likely wander back into an area of safety. If the deer is injured, then contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999 who will be able to advise you.
However, in circumstances where it is likely that the animal or other road users will be placed in danger or injured, e.g. the deer is causing an obstruction on a busy main road, contact the police using 999 or the Highways agency who will deal with the situation.