A new bill called the Bats Habitats Regulation Bill, which will be discussed in the UK parliament tomorrow, aims to limit the protection of bats in the UK. Currently, all bat species in the UK are protected by law. Their habitats and breeding sites are also protected by law. But, a new bill in the UK parliament could change that. This bill is the Bats Habitats Regulation Bill. If the bill is approved by parliament, it would mean that there is less protection for bats, as certain protections that already protect bats would be removed.
The Bats Habitats Regulation Bill has already passed it's first two readings and will now move on to the committee stage.
What Is The Aim Of The Bill?
The aim of this bill is to remove some protections for bats. It is taking into consideration how bats will be protected in places such as building sites and places of worship (i.e. religious sites such as churches).
The bill specifically focuses on bats roosting in religious buildings. If the law was passed, it would mean that the protection of bats would be removed in certain instances - bats wouldn't be protected if they choose to roost on or roost beside a religious building, such as a church.
This is a summary of the bill:
''A Bill to make provision to enhance the protection available for bat habitats in the vicinity of a building site and to limit the protection for bat habitats in buildings used for public worship''
Why This Bill Matters
Bats will often roost in buildings. They will often roost in buildings such as churches. This means that if this bill is passed as law, bats will not be protected when they roost in places such as religious buildings.
Another threat to bats is habitat loss. Habitat loss is a huge issue for many wild animals - this includes bats. With places like woodlands being destroyed for 'development', it means that animals like bats have fewer places to live. By limiting the protections to bats, it means that will again have fewer places to live. A loss in habitat and roosting areas will threaten bats.
You can contact your MP over this issue here.