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Wildlife Law (No. 257-Z).

Country/Territory
Belarus
Document type
Legislation
Date
2007 (2022)
Source
FAO, FAOLEX
Subject
Fisheries, Wild species & ecosystems
Keyword
Fishery management and conservation Diadromous fish Aquaculture Fish products Aquatic animals Basic legislation Ecosystem preservation Management/conservation Biodiversity Hunting/capture Endangered species Dangerous animal/harmful animal Wild fauna Animal welfare Wildlife products Protection of species Ranching/captive breeding Registration Trade in species Hunting gear/hunting methods
Geographical area
CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States), Eastern Europe, Europe, Europe and Central Asia
Entry into force notes
This Law enters into force nine months from the date of its official publication, except for articles 68 and 69, which enter into force on the date of the Law’s official publication.
Abstract

Legislation on the protection and management of wildlife is based on the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus and consists of this Law, acts of the President of the Republic of Belarus, other acts of legislation on the protection and management of wildlife. This Law provides for the protection and sustainable management of wildlife and their natural habitats in order to conserve biological diversity and prevent harm to wildlife from disasters and negative environmental impacts. Protection and management of wild fauna and their natural habitats shall be based on the following principles: (a) sustainability and conservation of biological diversity; (b) animal welfare, including prevention of cruelty; (c) use of wild fauna; (d) payment for the use of wildlife species; (d) liability; (e) compensation for damages caused by wild fauna to agricultural crops or forest species; (f) compensation of damages caused to wild fauna or their natural habitats; and (g) access to information related to the state of wild fauna and their natural habitats. Rare and endangered wildlife species shall be recorded in the Red Book of protected species. The number of harmful animals shall be subject to mandatory regulation. Management of wild fauna shall be carried out through: (a) hunting (artisanal and industrial); (b) fishing (artisanal and industrial); and (c) their use for scientific, educational or recreational purposes. The Act consists of 16 sections: (1) general provisions; (2) state regulation and management of wildlife; (3) protection of wildlife and their natural habitats; (4) acclimatization, repopulation, stock enhancement and reproduction of wildlife species; (5) regulation of activities that may have negative impact on wildlife and their natural habitats; (6) wildlife management; (7) activities related to the management of wildlife (hunting, fisheries and purchase of fish and wild animals; (8) animal welfare; (9) captive breeding of wild fauna; (10) wildlife products; (11) standardization in the field of wildlife management; (12) subsidies and incentives for the management of wild fauna; (13) registration and monitoring of wild fauna; (14) supervision; (15) liability and compensation; and (16) final provisions. The Council of Ministers determines the procedure for issuing permits for the removal of wild animals from their habitat, unless otherwise established by the President of the Republic of Belarus; determines the procedure and conditions for registration of: wild animals kept and (or) bred in captivity (including their offspring that have reached the age of three months), belonging to the species included in the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus, or being CITES specimens, wild animals caught in for the purposes of keeping and (or) breeding in captivity is carried out on the basis of a permit for the removal of wild animals from their habitat, unless otherwise established by the President of the Republic of Belarus; objects of keeping and (or) breeding of wild animals; production facilities that produce sturgeon species of fish and (or) products from them, including caviar; determines, unless otherwise established by the President of the Republic of Belarus, the procedure for the interaction of state bodies, other organizations upon detection (identification) of a sick, wounded, injured wild animal, or which is threatened with death as a result of natural disasters, or which may pose a threat to the life and health of citizens; establishes fees for determining the amount of compensation for damage caused to the environment as a result of illegal removal or destruction of wild animals and (or) harmful impact on their habitat. In the process of wild fauna management shall be prohibited the use of explosive devices, poisons and other chemicals, tools and methods for the removal of wild animals that can harm other animals or humans (crossbows, electric traps, traps, nooses, nails, hooks, etc.), except for cases envisaged by legislative acts.

Full text
Russian
Website
www.levonevski.net; https

References - Legislation

Repeals

Law No.598-XIII of 1996 on wildlife.

Legislation | Belarus | 1996

Keyword: Basic legislation, Management/conservation, Biodiversity, Wild fauna, Hunting/capture, Hunting rights, Protection of habitats, Offences/penalties

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Implemented by

Decree No. 16 of the Council of Ministers validating the Regulations on administrative procedures in the field of protection and use of flora and fauna.

Legislation | Belarus | 2022 (2023)

Keyword: Genetically modified organism (GMO), Authorization/permit, Fishery management and conservation, Diadromous fish, Fish products, Protection of species, Wild fauna, Wild flora, Hunting/capture, Ranching/captive breeding, Endangered species, International trade, Contract/agreement, Certification, Registration

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Amended by

Law No. 261-Z amending Wildlife Law (No. 257-Z).

Legislation | Belarus | 2011

Keyword: Wild fauna, Hunting/capture, Hunting rights, Contract/agreement

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Law No. 326-Z amending Wildlife Law (No. 257-Z).

Legislation | Belarus | 2015

Keyword: Institution, Wild fauna, Registration

Source: FAO, FAOLEX