Water Vole legislation has been under recent review, with updated mitigation guidelines released in 2007 pre-empting the new changes to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as ammended). Up until April 2008, only water vole habitat was afforded protection due to rapid species decline caused by changes in land use, non native predators such as mink and commonly, accidental poisioning as the species is frequently mistaking for rats, particularily in agricultural drains. However post April 2008 it will be an offence to intentionally kill or injure water voles or to take them from the wild. The changes will have a positive benefit not only to the conservation of the species but also in clarifying the law for planners, developers and land managers.
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