As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Sunday 14 February 2016

Proposed change to law on possession of wild bird eggs


By Gavin Stamp
Political reporter, BBC News
29 January 2016

The UK and Welsh governments are backing a change to the law on the possession of wild bird eggs.

They say anyone able to prove their eggs were taken from the wild before 1981 should not be prosecuted.

The law was changed in 2004 to require proof that eggs were taken before 1954 but this was ruled unlawful because of a lack of consultation.

Ministers say reinstating the so-called "pre-1981 defence" against liability would be a proportionate step.

Officials said "clarifying" the law in England and Wales would have the effect of focusing resources on prosecuting those currently collecting and trading eggs rather than punishing people who have built up or inherited historical collections.

The move, it is hoped, will encourage those with collections of scientific value to hand them over to museums for research.

While the practice of collecting wild bird eggs is in decline, the two governments' joint consultation found that illegal activity was still going on and there was a need for legislation outlawing it - which first came into force in 1981 - to remain on the statute book.

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