Written question asked by Lord Vinson (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Henley (Conservative) on Monday, 11 July 2011.

Bats

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 20 June (WA 225–6), whether English Nature has carried out a regulatory impact assessment of the cost to all concerned of complying with the European Union protected species directive in relation to bats.

Answer: As explained in the previous Answer, the costs of compliance with the requirements of the directive can vary considerably on a case by case basis and such costs are not centrally collected. While the transposing regulations have been subsequently amended to reflect the terms of the directive better, its requirements have remained the same. Since its transposition, therefore, no regulatory impact assessment of the costs of compliance with the requirements of the directive as regards bats has been made.

Secondary information