The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is the principle mechanism for the legislative protection of wildlife in Great Britain, with a main focus on wild bird species. The Act is the means by which the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (the Bern Convention) and Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild birds are implemented in Great Britain. The Act is divided into four parts, covering the protection of wildlife, countrysides and national parks, public rights of way and further miscellaneous provisions.
