Today, on 15 July the Government of the Republic approved the new procedure for transplantation of individuals of protected species. The procedure regulates the transplantation of individuals of protected fungus, plant and animal species from their natural site or permanent habitat to a new natural site or permanent habitat. The procedure sets out when and how it is permitted to transplant individuals of protected species. The objective of the procedure is to ensure that individuals of rare, endangered, noteworthy and unique plant, fungus and animal species are not harmed in the course of transplantation and that the favourable condition of the species would be maintained. In order to transplant individuals of protected species, the opinion of an expert familiar with the biology of the specific species has to be commissioned. In addition to this, a written permission of the Minister of the Environment has to be obtained for species of Category I, and a written permission of either the environmental authority or manager of the protected area has to be obtained for species of Category II and III. There has to be a good reason for transplantation of individuals of protected species (such as construction of roads, railways or power lines, etc) and a species can be transplanted only if does not damage its favourable condition. The condition of a species is deemed to be favourable if the number of its population shows that in the long term the species will be preserved as a vital part of its natural site or habitat, if the natural range of the species is not decreasing and a sufficiently large site or habitat is currently available and will most likely continue to be available for long-term preservation of populations of this species. Currently there are 65 protected species of Category I, 262 species of Category II and 244 species of Category III in Estonia. The procedure for transplantation of protected species will enter into force in three days after publication in the State Gazette (Riigi Teataja). Further information: |
