This methinks. When I had a zorst fitted I'm sure they had to remove it.
Was it a Scorpion system, as this part does indeed need to be removed to fit the Scorpion...
I dont think i'd personally take it out completly if it was in the way of an exhaust system as it shields a charcol filter which filters the vapour from the tank so potentially quite volatile i've replaced mine with a smaller ally shield
4 years later and it was still ok the last time I saw the car
But your right most things are there for a reason