Stakeholder Dialogue for an appraisal of the effectiveness of Bat Regs

Natural England estimated in 2018 that the regulatory system in place for bats had a cost in the region of £75 million per annum, excluding work associated with protected sites. In terms of cost, 'bat regulation' is likely to be very much the largest measure in place in England for bat conservation. Thus, it is important for bat conservation that it delivers the greatest benefit practicable. All of the 18 species of bat normally resident in England are strictly protected as European Protected Species (EPS). For the time being, as for other EPS, the regulatory system in place is derived from the EC Habitats Directive, which specifies that: - Measures taken pursuant to this Directive shall be designed to maintain or restore, at favourable conservation status, natural habitats and species of wild fauna and flora of Community interest - Measures taken pursuant to this Directive shall take account of economic, social and cultural requirements and regional and local characteristics. Correspondingly this project seeks to - improve understanding of o how the regulatory system is performing to maintain or restore the favourable conservation status of our bat species o how the benefits which it offers to bat conservation status can be maximised and o take into account how current performance and potential improvements could affect stakeholders The project outputs will be: -A logic model -A set of evaluation criteria -An assessment of the regulatory system -A ranking of improvements