The numbered paragraphs follow the respective numbered
sections of the policy.
2.
Introduction. In response to the launch of
the Convention on Biological Diversity at the Rio 'Earth Summit',
Target 36 of
Biodiversity the UK Action Plan (Anon., 1994)
is to "Update and publicise guidelines on translocations,
re-establishments, introductions and re-stocking". This publication
comprises part of these conservation guidelines, for those
activities relating to the translocation of species for
conservation purposes. Related translocation issues concerning
non-native species are dealt with by the
Review of Non-native
Species Policy (Anon., 2003), while
A Habitats Translocation Policy for Britain
(JNCC, 2003) addresses the movement of assemblages of species that
has been termed 'habitats translocation'. Translocation is a
general term, which is defined here as the transfer by human agency
of any organism(s) from one place to another. Conservation
translocations can help to restore populations of declining and
threatened species, and this policy seeks to establish a policy and
procedures to conduct these translocations to a high standard in
line with the 1995
IUCN Guidelines for
Re-introductions.
3. Aims. The principal aims of
this policy are to maintain British wildlife at favourable
conservation status, to provide a process for carrying out species
translocations that is based upon IUCN Guidelines that will support
sound decision-making and help to meet UKBAP targets, to improve
the means of taking decisions about species translocations for
conservation purposes and to improve the acquisition and sharing of
knowledge in this field.
4. Previous initiatives
on biological translocations in Britain.. The history of previous
initiatives to review biological translocations in Britain is
summarised briefly, with references to selected policy and review
documents.
5. International considerations.
The statutory conservation agencies have adopted the 1995 IUCN
Guidelines for Re-introductions as the international standard
for carrying out species translocations for conservation purposes.
The international obligations of the UK concerning such species
translocations are summarised with reference to the relevant
agreements and conventions.
6. Key issues in relation to species
translocations for conservation purposes. Species
translocations can help to reverse declines of threatened species,
but when and where they should be used is debatable. This policy
includes a process (Annex 1) and the IUCN Guidelines (Annex 2) as
the framework for deciding when species translocations should be
used for conservation, with the decisions to be taken by the
appropriate UKBAP group. It should be noted that ranges of species
alter naturally over time and that intervening against such natural
changes is generally inappropriate and ineffective.
7. Legal issues in relation to species
translocations for conservation purposes. The Wildlife and
Countryside Act, 1981 applies to the reintroduction of formerly
native species that are now extinct in Great Britain, and the
licensing provisions for translocation of native species are
indicated.
8. Policy and supporting procedures for
species translocations for conservation purposes. The three
main categories of species that can be translocated for
conservation are first, species that have occurred in Britain in
historic times but are now extinct in the wild here, second, native
species where it is proposed to translocate within their current or
recent range and, third, native species where it is proposed to
translocate them beyond their current or recent range. The
procedure for dealing with each of these categories is different,
with the last to be treated as the introduction of a non-native
species with the need for a precautionary risk assessment. The
principles for assessing candidate translocations for conservation
purposes are described, while the need is identified for additional
guidelines to deal more fully with relocation of species threatened
by development. It is the view of the statutory
conservation agencies that relocation of species is not an
acceptable alternative to in situ conservation,
but where a development has been given planning approval,
relocation should be considered as a means of partially
compensating for the loss of the populations affected. The
procedure is outlined for operating the policy for conservation
translocation of species via existing groups responsible for these
activities, notably the delivery of Species Action Plans for
UKBAP.
9. Future data collection
mechanisms. Systematic recording of species translocations
for conservation purposes is required and existing recording
schemes and the National Biodiversity Network should be used to
collect and disseminate the resulting data and information.
*Members of the Inter-agency Translocations Working
Group, who have participated for at least a period of time since
its inception, comprise: Prof. M. Crawley (Joint Committee), Prof.
W. Heal (Joint Committee), Prof. F. Last (Joint Committee), Dr. M.
Howe (Countryside Council for Wales), Dr. R. Mitchell (English
Nature), Dr. A. Douse and Dr. S. Ward (Scottish Natural Heritage),
Dr. I. McLean (JNCC Support Unit).