David Attenborough: I would never have been a naturalist under today's fossil laws

Britain is losing generations of young naturalists because of laws banning children from collecting birds' eggs and fossils, according to Sir David Attenborough.

The broadcaster said he would never have been able to pursue his interest in wildlife if current legislation had been in place when he was a boy. The Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 prohibits the removal of eggs from the nest of any wild bird, while being found in possession of a dead wild bird – or any part of one – is also an offence.

Fossil–collecting is banned at Sites of Special Scientific Interest and is covered by numerous other guidelines.

Speaking to Radio Times, Sir David, 86, said few children now ventured out to explore the natural world. He agreed that the situation was "a disaster in waiting".



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/9657545/David-Attenborough-I-would-never-have-been-a-naturalist-under-todays-fossil-laws.html