Overview

This bill proposes to establish a closed season for killing or taking hares in England and Wales, from 1 February to 31 July, and to repeal a related provision in the Hares Preservation Act 1892 that restricts the sale of hares. Exceptions are made for preventing serious crop damage under specific conditions.

Description

The Hares (Closed Season) Bill aims to protect wild hares by prohibiting their killing or taking during a closed season (February 1st to July 31st). Intentionally or recklessly harming a hare during this period will be a criminal offence, punishable by up to six months imprisonment and/or a fine.

Exceptions:

The bill includes exceptions. Landowners or occupiers, or those authorized by them, are not liable if they can demonstrate that killing hares was necessary to prevent serious crop damage, providing they had reasonable grounds for believing it, non-lethal methods failed, and they either obtained a licence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 beforehand or notified the local authority as soon as possible. Further exceptions exist for hares already seriously injured and those taken for tending and release.

Repeal:

The bill repeals the seasonal sale prohibition for hares found within the Hares Preservation Act 1892.

Extent and Commencement:

The bill applies only to England and Wales and comes into force one month after it is passed.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending. Enforcement costs might increase, but precise figures are unavailable from the provided text.

Groups Affected

Groups potentially affected include:

• Farmers: May be impacted by the restrictions on hare culling, potentially facing increased crop damage. The exceptions for crop protection are crucial for this group.
• Gamekeepers: Likely to be affected by the closed season, which would limit their activities.
• Hare conservation groups: Potentially positively affected by increased protection for hares.
• Wildlife and Countryside officers: Increased enforcement responsibilities.

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