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<p>The Forestry Commission is responsible for the regulation of tree felling in England
and woodland managers must apply for a felling license from the Commission to fell
trees, unless an exemption applies. For example, a tree which poses a danger life
or property can be felled without a license.</p><p> </p><p>Any tree felling must comply
with regulations and legislation protecting wildlife species and habitats, including
the European protected species (EPS) listed in the <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2017/1012/contents/made"
target="_blank">Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017</a> and the
<a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/69" target="_blank">Wildlife and
Countryside Act 1981.</a></p><p> </p><p>In England, all wild birds, their eggs and
their nests are protected, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, making it
an offence to kill, injure or take wild birds or to take or damage their eggs and
nests. There are provisions within the 1981 Act that permit derogation from these
protections for specific reasons for example for the purposes of preserving public
health or public or air safety.</p><p> </p><p>The Forestry Commission works with Natural
England, the statutory body for protected species, to provide good practice guidance
on how to minimise impacts on protected wildlife and circumstances where a licence
may be required. When submitting an application, landowners are required to evidence
how they propose to manage the impact of felling on wildlife, including sites of special
scientific interest (SSSI). It is an offence to carry out an activity that has an
impact on a protected species without a wildlife management license.</p>
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