UK Act of Parliament 1981 United Kingdom

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended)

An Act to repeal and re-enact with amendments the Protection of Birds Acts 1954 to 1967 and the Conservation of Wild Creatures and Wild Plants Act 1975; to prohibit certain methods of killing or taking wild animals; to amend the law relating to protection of certain mammals; to restrict the …

Read the Act on legislation.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
Status
Amended (in force with amendments)
Penalty ceiling
Imprisonment 16 of 58 obligations carry up to 2 years imprisonment. 25 carry different penalties and 17 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.

Does it bind you?

Business-side roles with duties under this instrument.

Any Person36 Occupier4 Director or Officer1

Plus 17 duties on the regulator, Crown ministers and public bodies — folded into the section list below.

Other Acts binding the same actors

If a role above is yours, these are the other instruments that most often bind it.

Any Person — also bound by 2340 other Acts
Occupier — also bound by 235 other Acts
Highways Act 1980 23 duties
Director or Officer — also bound by 429 other Acts
Companies Act 2006 126 duties

What it requires

Sections creating concrete business duties or carrying penalties, grouped as the instrument is structured. Titles link to the source text — blue means you’re leaving for legislation.gov.uk.

Part 1

Wildlife

34 of 84 sections shown
s.001 Protection of wild birds, their nests and eggs. (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Harming wild birds, their eggs, or their nestsAny Person
s.003 Areas of special protection. (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Breach of bird protection or entry rules in special protection areasAny Person
s.005 Prohibition of certain methods of killing or taking wild birds. (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Use prohibited methods to kill or take wild birdsAny Person
s.006 Sale etc. of live or dead wild birds, eggs etc. (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Unlawful sale, transport, or advertising of wild birds or eggsAny Person
s.007 Registration etc. of certain captive birds. (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Possessing or trading unregistered Schedule 4 birdsAny Person
s.008 Protection of captive birds. (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Confine birds in undersized cages or organize shooting of captive birdsAny Person
s.009 Protection of certain wild animals. (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Interfere with, harm, or trade in protected wild animalsAny Person
s.010 Protection of wild hares etc. Imprisonment
  • Kill, injure, or take wild hares during the close seasonAny Person
s.011 Prohibition of certain methods of killing or taking wild animals. (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Use prohibited methods for killing or taking wild animalsAny Person
s.011 Prevention of poaching: wild hares, rabbits etc. Imprisonment
  • Unlawfully kill, injure, or take wild hares or rabbitsAny Person
s.011 Sale, possession etc. of wild hares, rabbits etc. killed or taken unlawfully Imprisonment
  • Sell, possess or advertise illegally taken wildlifeAny Person
s.013 Protection of wild plants. (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Unlawful picking, uprooting, or sale of protected wild plantsAny Person
s.014 Introduction of new species etc. (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Unlawfully release or plant non-native species into the wildAny Person
s.014 Prohibition on sale etc. of invasive animals or plants Imprisonment
  • Unlawfully selling or advertising invasive non-native speciesAny Person
s.014 Contravention of Invasive Alien Species Regulation Imprisonment
  • Breach of invasive alien species regulationsAny Person
s.014 Miscellaneous Imprisonment
  • Release or allow the escape of non-native or invasive speciesAny Person
s.014 Notification of presence of invasive animals or plants etc. Imprisonment
  • Fail to notify authorities of invasive species on your landAny Person
s.014 Notice of species control orders Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Regulators must provide notice when making a species control orderStatutory regulator
s.014 Offences in relation to species control orders Imprisonment
  • Fail to comply with a species control orderAny Person
s.014 Species control orders: entry by warrant etc. Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Courts may grant warrants for forced entry to your premisesTribunal / Court
s.014 Sale etc. of certain animals and plants included in Schedule 9 Imprisonment
  • Illegal sale or advertising of restricted non-native speciesAny Person
s.014 Codes of practice in connection with species which are non-native or included in Schedule 9 Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State may issue codes of practice for non-native speciesCrown / Minister / Government department
s.014 Prohibition on keeping etc. of invasive animals or plants Imprisonment
  • Keep or possess prohibited invasive animals or plantsAny Person
s.015 Possession of pesticides Imprisonment
  • Illegal possession of prescribed pesticidesAny Person
s.016 Licensing: land on which certain birds may be killed or taken Prosecution
  • Apply for a licence to kill or take certain birdsOccupier

Unlimited fine

s.016 Report on operation and effect of section 16AA licences Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Scottish Ministers must report every 5 years on section 16AA licencesCrown / Minister / Government department
s.017 False statements made for obtaining registration , identification number or licence etc. False statements made for obtaining registration or licence etc. (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Provide false information to obtain wildlife licences or registrationsAny Person
s.018 Attempts to commit offences etc. (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Attempt to commit wildlife offences or possess equipment for offencesAny Person
s.018 Restrictions on taking of samples from live specimens Regulated
  • Ensure only a veterinary surgeon takes samples from live animalsAny Person
s.019 Wildlife inspectors: Scotland Imprisonment
  • Obstruct a wildlife inspector or fail to assist during an inspectionAny Person
s.019 Power to take samples: Scotland Imprisonment
  • Obstruct wildlife inspections or fail to provide specimens for samplingAny Person
s.023 Advisory bodies and their functions. (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must establish or appoint wildlife advisory bodiesCrown / Minister / Government department
s.025 Functions of local authorities. (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Local authorities must publicise wildlife protection laws and may prosecuteLocal authority
s.026 Enforcement of wildlife legislation Imprisonment
  • Breach of habitat or species conservation regulationsAny Person
50 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.002 Exceptions to s. 1. (opens in a new tab)
s.004 Exceptions to ss. 1 and 3. (opens in a new tab)
s.010 Exceptions to s. 9. (opens in a new tab)
s.010 Exceptions to s. 10A
s.011 Snares: training, identification numbers, tags etc.
s.011 Snares: duty to inspect etc.
s.011 Snares: authorisation from landowners etc.
s.011 Snares: presumption arising from identification number
s.011 Snares: record keeping
s.011 Snaring: review and report to the Scottish Parliament
s.011 Exceptions to s. 11G
s.012 Protection of certain mammals. (opens in a new tab)
s.012 Relaxation of restriction on night shooting of hares and rabbits
s.014 Non-native species etc. : code of practice
s.014 Power to make species control orders
s.014 Emergency species control orders
s.014 Content of species control orders
s.014 Appeals in connection with species control orders
s.014 Coming into effect of species control orders
s.014 Review of species control orders
s.014 Enforcement of operations under species control orders
s.014 Species control orders: powers of entry
s.014 Species control orders: powers of entry: supplemental
s.014 Interpretation of sections 14 to 14O
s.015 Endangered species (import and export). (opens in a new tab)
s.016 Power to grant licences. (opens in a new tab)
s.016 Delegation of licence-granting power: Scotland
s.016 Appeals relating to section 16AA licences
s.016 Section 16AA Licence: code of practice
s.016 Section 16AA Licence: delegation of power in relation to code of practice
s.016 Report on operation and effect of section 16AA licences: delegation
s.018 Wildlife inspectors
s.018 Group 1 offences and licences: power to enter premises
s.018 Group 1 offences and licences: examining specimens and taking samples
s.018 Group 2 offences and licences etc. : power to enter premises
s.018 Group 2 offences: examining specimens and taking samples
s.019 Enforcement. (opens in a new tab)
s.019 Evidence in Scotland in certain proceedings.
s.019 Constables' powers in connection with samples
s.019 Offences in connection with enforcement powers
s.019 Enforcement: wildlife inspectors.
s.019 Power to take samples.
s.020 Proceedings for summary offences. (opens in a new tab)
s.021 Penalties, forfeitures etc. (opens in a new tab)
s.022 Power to vary Schedules. (opens in a new tab)
s.024 Functions of GB conservation bodies (opens in a new tab)
s.026 Regulations, orders, notices etc. (opens in a new tab)
s.026 Annual report on wildlife crime
s.027 Interpretation of Part I. (opens in a new tab)
s.027 Application of Part 1 to England and Wales
Part 2

Nature Conservation, Countryside and National Parks

18 of 52 sections shown
s.028 Sites of special scientific interest. (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Natural England must notify owners and occupiers of SSSI designationsStatutory regulator
s.028 Enlargement of SSSI. Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Natural England must notify owners and councils when enlarging an SSSIStatutory regulator
s.028 Denotification. Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Natural England must follow formal procedures to denotify SSSIsStatutory regulator
s.028 Statutory undertakers, etc.: general duty. Prosecution
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Public authorities must further the conservation of SSSIsCrown / Minister / Government department

Unlimited fine

s.028 Statutory undertakers, etc.: duty in relation to carrying out operations. Regulated
  • Notify Natural England before carrying out works near an SSSIAny Person
s.028 Statutory undertakers, etc.: duty in relation to authorising operations. Prosecution
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Natural England must be consulted before SSSI operations are authorisedStatutory regulator

Unlimited fine

s.028 Payments. Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Natural England must compensate owners for withdrawn or modified consentsStatutory regulator
s.028 Offences. Prosecution
  • Damage or disturb a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)Any Person

Unlimited fine

s.028 Change of owner or occupier. Prosecution
  • Fail to notify Natural England of SSSI ownership or occupancy changesAny Person

Fine up to £200

s.028 Notices and signs relating to SSSIs Prosecution
  • Damage or obscure SSSI signs or noticesAny Person

Fine up to £2,500

s.031 Restoration following offence under section 28P. (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Fail to comply with restoration order after SSSI damageAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.032 Duties of agriculture Ministers with respect to areas of special scientific interest. (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Ministers must consider nature conservation and SSSI damage in grant decisionsCrown / Minister / Government department
s.033 Ministerial guidance as respects areas of special scientific interest. (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Ministers must provide guidance on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)Crown / Minister / Government department
s.034 Limestone pavement orders. (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Unauthorised removal or disturbance of limestone pavementAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.037 Ramsar sites. Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Natural England and NRW must notify owners of Ramsar site designationsStatutory regulator
s.041 Duties of agriculture Ministers with respect to the countryside. (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Relevant authority must offer management agreement if grant is refusedCrown / Minister / Government department
s.042 Notification of agricultural operations on moor and heath in National Parks. (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Notify National Park Authority before agricultural work on moor or heathOccupier

Unlimited fine

s.051 Powers of entry. (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Obstructing an authorised inspector entering your landAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

34 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.027 Construction of references to Nature Conservancy Council.
s.027 Application of sections 28 to 34 in Wales
s.028 Variation of notification under section 28.
s.028 Notification of additional land.
s.028 Guidance in relation to subtidal notifications of SSSIs
s.028 Power to call in subtidal notifications
s.028 Duties in relation to sites of special scientific interest.
s.028 Appeals in connection with consents.
s.028 Management schemes.
s.028 Management notices.
s.028 Appeals against management notices.
s.028 Compulsory purchase.
s.028 Byelaws.
s.029 Special protection for certain areas of special scientific interest. (opens in a new tab)
s.030 Compensation where order is made under s. 29. (opens in a new tab)
s.034 Meaning of “appropriate conservation body”
s.035 National nature reserves. (opens in a new tab)
s.035 Power to call in subtidal declarations
s.036 Marine nature reserves. (opens in a new tab)
s.037 Byelaws for protection of marine nature reserves. (opens in a new tab)
s.038 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. (opens in a new tab)
s.039 Management agreements with owners and occupiers of land. (opens in a new tab)
s.040 Experimental schemes. (opens in a new tab)
s.041 Application of sections 42 to 45 in Wales
s.043 Maps of National Parks showing certain areas of moor or heath. (opens in a new tab)
s.044 Grants and loans for purposes of National Parks. (opens in a new tab)
s.045 Power to vary order designating National Park. (opens in a new tab)
s.046 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. (opens in a new tab)
s.047 Grants to the Countryside Council for Wales (opens in a new tab)
s.048 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. (opens in a new tab)
s.049 Extension of power to appoint wardens. (opens in a new tab)
s.050 Payments under certain agreements offered by authorities. (opens in a new tab)
s.051 Summary prosecutions
s.052 Interpretation of Part II. (opens in a new tab)
Part 3

Public Rights of Way

3 of 18 sections shown
s.053 Register of applications under section 53. Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Local authorities must maintain a public register of rights of way applicationsLocal authority
s.059 Prohibition on keeping bulls on land crossed by public rights of way. (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Keep a bull in a field crossed by a public right of wayOccupier

Fine up to £1,000

s.061 Ploughing of public rights of way. (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Unlawful ploughing or failure to restore public rights of wayOccupier

Fine up to £200

15 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.053 Duty to keep definitive map and statement under continuous review. (opens in a new tab)
s.053 Power to include modifications in other orders.
s.054 Duty to reclassify roads used as public paths. (opens in a new tab)
s.054 BOATs not to be added to definitive maps.
s.055 No further surveys or reviews under the 1949 Act. (opens in a new tab)
s.056 Effect of definitive map and statement. (opens in a new tab)
s.057 Supplementary provisions as to definitive maps and statements. (opens in a new tab)
s.057 Consolidation of definitive maps and statements.
s.058 Application of ss. 53 to 57 to inner London. (opens in a new tab)
s.060 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. (opens in a new tab)
s.062 Appointment of wardens for public rights of way. (opens in a new tab)
s.063 Orders creating, extinguishing or diverting footpaths and bridleways. (opens in a new tab)
s.064 Publication of dedication of footpaths and bridleways. (opens in a new tab)
s.065 Signposting of byways open to all traffic. (opens in a new tab)
s.066 Interpretation of Part III. (opens in a new tab)
Part 4

Miscellaneous and General

2 of 13 sections shown
s.069 Offences by bodies corporate etc. (opens in a new tab) Imprisonment
  • Personal liability of directors and managers for company wildlife offencesDirector or Officer
s.069 Offences by Scottish partnerships etc. Imprisonment
  • Liability of Scottish partners and managers for wildlife offencesAny Person
11 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.066 Application of Part 1 to Crown
s.066 Application of Part 1 to Crown: Scotland
s.067 Application of Parts 2 and 3 to Crown land (opens in a new tab)
s.068 Application to the Isles of Scilly. (opens in a new tab)
s.070 Financial provisions. (opens in a new tab)
s.070 Service of notices.
s.070 Effect of failure to serve certain notices
s.071 General interpretation. (opens in a new tab)
s.072 Minor amendments. (opens in a new tab)
s.073 Repeals and savings. (opens in a new tab)
s.074 Short title commencement and extent. (opens in a new tab)
Schedules

Schedules

1 of 124 shown
s.010 Amendment of the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1976 (opens in a new tab) Prosecution
  • Obstruct authorised wildlife inspectionAny Person

Fine up to £200

123 other schedules
s.001 Birds which are Protected by Special Penalties (opens in a new tab)
s.007 Protection of Certain Mammals Amendment of Acts In Relation To Night Shooting of Hares and Rabbits (opens in a new tab)
s.008 Plants which are Protected (opens in a new tab)
s.011 Procedure in Connection with Certain Orders under Part II (opens in a new tab)
s.015 Procedure in Connection with Certain Orders Under Part III (opens in a new tab)
s.sch001a Birds which are Protected from Harassment
s.sch002 Birds which may be Killed or Taken (opens in a new tab)
s.sch003 Birds which may be Sold (opens in a new tab)
s.sch004 Birds Which Must Be Registered and Ringed if Kept in Captivity (opens in a new tab)
s.sch005 Animals which are Protected (opens in a new tab)
s.sch005a Animals which are Protected under Section 10A in their Close Season
s.sch006 Animals which may not be Killed or Taken by Certain Methods (opens in a new tab)
s.sch006a Animals not to be Poached
s.sch006za Animals which may not be killed or taken by trapping or snaring
s.sch007 (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 6 of the Ground...
s.sch007 Amendment of Acts In Relation To Night Shooting of Hares and Rabbits
s.sch007 Amendment of Acts In Relation To Night Shooting of Hares and Rabbits
s.sch007 Amendment of Acts In Relation To Night Shooting of Hares and Rabbits
s.sch007 (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 50(1)(a) of the Agriculture...
s.sch007 (1) At the end of subsection (2) of section 1...
s.sch007 For subsection (3) of section 10 of the Deer Act...
s.sch007 (1) After section 10 of that Act there shall be...
s.sch007 (1) In paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to that Act...
s.sch007 (1) In subsection (1)(c) of section 10 of the Conservation...
s.sch007 Amendment of Acts In Relation To Night Shooting of Hares and Rabbits
s.sch007 Amendment of Acts In Relation To Night Shooting of Hares and Rabbits
s.sch009 Animals and Plants to which Section 14 Applies (opens in a new tab)
s.sch009a Species control agreements and orders (England and Wales)
s.sch009a (1) This Schedule provides for— (a) species control agreements between...
s.sch009a (1) An environmental authority may make a species control order...
s.sch009a (1) A species control order under paragraph 10(2)(a) or (b)...
s.sch009a (1) A species control order must— (a) specify the species...
s.sch009a (1) A species control order may contain provision supplementary to...
s.sch009a (1) After making a species control order, an environmental authority...
s.sch009a (1) An environmental authority may at any time revoke a...
s.sch009a (1) An owner of premises in relation to which a...
s.sch009a Where an environmental authority considers that an owner of premises...
s.sch009a (1) This paragraph applies where an environmental authority considers that...
s.sch009a (1) A person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply...
s.sch009a (1) “ Species ” means any kind of animal or...
s.sch009a (1) An owner of premises is not liable to any...
s.sch009a (1) A person who is authorised to do so may...
s.sch009a (1) To enter premises under paragraph 21 a person must...
s.sch009a (1) To enter premises under paragraph 21 in circumstances other...
s.sch009a (1) A right of entry under paragraph 21 is exercisable...
s.sch009a (1) The Secretary of State and the Welsh Ministers may...
s.sch009a (1) The Secretary of State must issue a code of...
s.sch009a (1) The Welsh Ministers must issue a code of practice...
s.sch009a (1) A person's failure to comply with a provision of...
s.sch009a (1) “ Environmental authority ”, in relation to premises in...
s.sch009a (1) “ Owner ”, in relation to premises consisting of...
s.sch009a (1) “Species control operations” are operations to do one or...
s.sch009a (1) An environmental authority may enter into a “species control...
s.sch009a (1) A species control agreement must provide for—
s.sch009a Where an environmental authority considers that an owner of premises...
s.sch009a An environmental authority is not liable to a person with...
s.sch009b Invasive alien species: defences and licences
s.sch009b Interpretation
s.sch009b Companion animals
s.sch009b Commercial stocks
s.sch009b Non-commercial owners: receipt of commercial stocks
s.sch009b Restrictions
s.sch009b Research etc.
s.sch009b Keeping animals until the end of their natural lives
s.sch009b Eradication measures
s.sch009b Management measures
s.sch010 (1) In paragraph (c) of section 3 of the 1976...
s.sch010 The kinds of mollusc specified below— Conradilla caelata Dromus dromas...
s.sch010a Delegation of Appellate Functions
s.sch010a In this Schedule— “ appointed person ” means a person...
s.sch010a An appointment under section 28F(8) or 28L(10) must be in...
s.sch010a Subject to the provisions of this Schedule, an appointed person...
s.sch010a (1) If either of the parties to an appeal or...
s.sch010a (1) Where under paragraph 2(c) the appointment of the appointed...
s.sch010a (1) Anything done or omitted to be done by an...
s.sch011 Procedure in Connection with Certain Orders under Part II
s.sch011 Procedure in Connection with Certain Orders under Part II
s.sch011 Procedure in Connection with Certain Orders under Part II
s.sch011 Procedure in Connection with Certain Orders under Part II
s.sch011 Procedure in Connection with Certain Orders under Part II
s.sch011 Procedure in Connection with Certain Orders under Part II
s.sch011 Procedure in Connection with Certain Orders under Part II
s.sch011 Procedure in Connection with Certain Orders under Part II
s.sch012 Procedure in Connection With Orders Under Section 36 (opens in a new tab)
s.sch012 Procedure in Connection With Orders Under Section 36
s.sch012 Procedure in Connection With Orders Under Section 36
s.sch012 Procedure in Connection With Orders Under Section 36
s.sch012 Procedure in Connection With Orders Under Section 36
s.sch012 Procedure in Connection With Orders Under Section 36
s.sch012 Procedure in Connection With Orders Under Section 36
s.sch012 Procedure in Connection With Orders Under Section 36
s.sch012 Procedure in Connection With Orders Under Section 36
s.sch012 Procedure in Connection With Orders Under Section 36
s.sch014 Applications for Certain Orders Under Part III (opens in a new tab)
s.sch014 An application shall be made in the prescribed form and...
s.sch014 (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the applicant shall serve a...
s.sch014 (1) As soon as reasonably practicable after receiving a certificate...
s.sch014 (1) Where the authority decide not to make an order,...
s.sch014 (1) In this Schedule— “ application ” means an application...
s.sch015 Before making an order, the authority shall consult with every...
s.sch015 (1) A decision of the Secretary of State under paragraph...
s.sch015 (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), subsections (2) to (5) of...
s.sch015 (1) As soon as practicable after a decision to confirm...
s.sch015 (1) If any person is aggrieved by an order which...
s.sch015 (1) The Secretary of State may, subject to the provisions...
s.sch015 An order shall not take effect until confirmed either by...
s.sch015 (1) On making an order, the authority shall give notice...
s.sch015 (1) This paragraph applies where a survey begun under sections...
s.sch015 (1) Where at any time representations or objections duly made...
s.sch015 (1) If no representations or objections are duly made, or...
s.sch015 (1) If any representation or objection duly made is not...
s.sch015 (1) The Secretary of State shall not confirm an order...
s.sch015 Procedure in Connection with Certain Orders Under Part III
s.sch016 Orders Creating, Extinguishing or Diverting Footpaths or Bridleways (opens in a new tab)
s.sch016 Orders Creating, Extinguishing or Diverting Footpaths or Bridleways
s.sch016 (1) The amendments made by the foregoing provisions of this...
s.sch016 (1) In subsection (1) of section 119 of the Highways...
s.sch016 (1) In sub-paragraphs (1)(b) and 2(b) of paragraph I of...
s.sch016 After paragraph 2 of that Schedule there shall be inserted...
s.sch016 (1) In paragraph 4 of that Schedule after the words...
s.sch016 After that paragraph there shall be inserted the following paragraph—...
s.sch017 Enactments repealed (opens in a new tab)
s.schedule/10/part/4/chapter//paragraph/wrapper1n2 The kinds of amphibian specified in the first column below—...
2 other provisions
s.birds which re-use their nests Birds which re-use their nests
s.protected nests and nest sites: birds Protected nests and nest sites: birds

Help complying

Guvnor’s practical routes through this instrument.

Ecological compliance for development projects

Learn the full lifecycle of ecological obligations when developing land, from protected species surveys and wildlife licensing through to biodiversity net gain …

Protected species found on your development site

What to do when protected species are discovered on your development site, from immediate actions through licensing and managing project delays.

Do I need a wildlife licence for my project?

Quick decision tree to determine if your development or land management activity requires a wildlife licence from Natural England.

Starting farming: complete compliance journey

New farmers: everything you need to register, comply, and access funding - from CPH numbers to environmental schemes. Follow this step-by-step journey …

Failed a farm inspection: what to do next

What to do when you receive a non-compliance notice from a farm inspection. Covers understanding your notice, your rights, taking corrective action, …

Planning permission for new development

A complete guide to getting planning permission for your first development project, from understanding when you need permission to navigating conditions and …

Apply for a species licence from NatureScot

How to apply for a NatureScot species licence when your business activities could affect protected species in Scotland. Covers European Protected Species …

Commission protected species surveys for your site

How to commission ecological surveys for development sites that may support protected species. Covers when surveys are needed, types of survey for …

Ecology survey requirements for construction in Scotland

When you need ecological surveys for construction and development projects in Scotland, what types of survey are required, seasonal timing constraints, and …

Get a wildlife licence for your development project

How to obtain wildlife licences from Natural England before development that affects protected species. Covers European Protected Species mitigation licences, bat surveys, …

Invasive species obligations in Scotland

Your legal obligations regarding invasive non-native species in Scotland. Covers criminal offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Schedule 9 species, …

Manage invasive non-native species on your land

Legal obligations for managing invasive non-native species on business premises and development sites. Covers Japanese knotweed, giant hogweed, Himalayan balsam, identification, treatment …

Managing land within an SSSI in Scotland

Your legal obligations when you own, occupy, or manage land within a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Scotland. Covers Operations …

Protected species offences and penalties in Scotland

Quick reference for criminal offences and penalties relating to protected species in Scotland. Covers European Protected Species, Wildlife and Countryside Act offences, …
9 more guides that reference this instrument
Understanding UK wildlife law for businesses Understanding nature conservation law in Scotland Wildlife management and muirburn licensing in Scotland Building and landscape services: compliance checklist Meet your pest control, landscaping and waste duties Run a shooting, game or wildlife management business Understand farm rules after cross-compliance ended Manage access land and SSSIs on your property Meet biodiversity net gain requirements for development

Connected legislation

Instruments made under this Act. They carry the detail the Act delegates.

Duty extraction and severity labels are Guvnor’s analysis of the instrument, not the instrument itself. Always verify against the linked source text.