For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.

Any Person also bound by 2338 other Acts (top 5 shown)

Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 169 duties
Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 144 duties
Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 101 duties
Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 95 duties

Occupiers also bound by 259 other Acts (top 5 shown)

The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021 2021 39 duties
Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No. 2) Order 2006 2006 34 duties
The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 1995 34 duties
Highways Act 1980 1980 23 duties
Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2015 2015 18 duties

Directors and Officers also bound by 425 other Acts (top 5 shown)

Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 161 duties
Companies Act 2006 2006 108 duties
Insolvency Act 1986 1986 72 duties
The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 2008 55 duties
The Housing Administration (England and Wales) Rules 2018 2018 26 duties

What this Act requires

Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.

Part I — Wildlife

s.001

Protection of wild birds, their nests and eggs.

2 years imprisonment

Harming wild birds, their eggs, or their nests Any Person

s.003

Areas of special protection.

6 months imprisonment

Breach of bird protection or entry rules in special protection areas Any Person

s.005

Prohibition of certain methods of killing or taking wild birds.

6 months imprisonment

Use prohibited methods to kill or take wild birds Any Person

s.006

Sale etc. of live or dead wild birds, eggs etc.

6 months imprisonment

Unlawful sale, transport, or advertising of wild birds or eggs Any Person

s.007

Registration etc. of certain captive birds.

2 years imprisonment

Possessing or trading unregistered Schedule 4 birds Any Person

s.008

Protection of captive birds.

6 months imprisonment

Confine birds in undersized cages or organize shooting of captive birds Any Person

s.009

Protection of certain wild animals.

6 months imprisonment

Interfere with, harm, or trade in protected wild animals Any Person

s.010

Protection of wild hares etc.

6 months imprisonment

Kill, injure, or take wild hares during the close season Any Person

s.011

Prohibition of certain methods of killing or taking wild animals.

6 months imprisonment

Use prohibited methods for killing or taking wild animals Any Person

s.011

Prevention of poaching: wild hares, rabbits etc.

6 months imprisonment

Unlawfully kill, injure, or take wild hares or rabbits Any Person

s.011

Sale, possession etc. of wild hares, rabbits etc. killed or taken unlawfully

6 months imprisonment

Sell, possess or advertise illegally taken wildlife Any Person

s.013

Protection of wild plants.

6 months imprisonment

Unlawful picking, uprooting, or sale of protected wild plants Any Person

s.014

Introduction of new species etc.

2 years imprisonment

Unlawfully release or plant non-native species into the wild Any Person

s.014

Prohibition on sale etc. of invasive animals or plants

2 years imprisonment

Unlawfully selling or advertising invasive non-native species Any Person

s.014

Contravention of Invasive Alien Species Regulation

2 years imprisonment

Breach of invasive alien species regulations Any Person

s.014

Miscellaneous

2 years imprisonment

Release or allow the escape of non-native or invasive species Any Person

s.014

Notification of presence of invasive animals or plants etc.

2 years imprisonment

Fail to notify authorities of invasive species on your land Any Person

s.014

Notice of species control orders

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Regulators must provide notice when making a species control order Statutory regulator

s.014

Offences in relation to species control orders

40 weeks imprisonment

Fail to comply with a species control order Any Person

s.014

Species control orders: entry by warrant etc.

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Courts may grant warrants for forced entry to your premises Tribunal / Court

s.014

Sale etc. of certain animals and plants included in Schedule 9

2 years imprisonment

Illegal sale or advertising of restricted non-native species Any Person

s.014

Codes of practice in connection with species which are non-native or included in Schedule 9

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Secretary of State may issue codes of practice for non-native species Crown / Minister / Government department

s.014

Prohibition on keeping etc. of invasive animals or plants

2 years imprisonment

Keep or possess prohibited invasive animals or plants Any Person

s.015

Possession of pesticides

2 years imprisonment

Illegal possession of prescribed pesticides Any Person

s.016

Licensing: land on which certain birds may be killed or taken

Unlimited fine

Apply for a licence to kill or take certain birds Occupier

s.017

False statements made for obtaining registration , identification number or licence etc. False statements made for obtaining registration or licence etc.

2 years imprisonment

Provide false information to obtain wildlife licences or registrations Any Person

s.018

Attempts to commit offences etc.

2 years imprisonment

Attempt to commit wildlife offences or possess equipment for offences Any Person

s.018

Restrictions on taking of samples from live specimens

Ensure only a veterinary surgeon takes samples from live animals Any Person

s.019

Wildlife inspectors: Scotland

2 years imprisonment

Obstruct a wildlife inspector or fail to assist during an inspection Any Person

s.019

Power to take samples: Scotland

2 years imprisonment

Obstruct wildlife inspections or fail to provide specimens for sampling Any Person

s.023

Advisory bodies and their functions.

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Secretary of State must establish or appoint wildlife advisory bodies Crown / Minister / Government department

s.025

Functions of local authorities.

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Local authorities must publicise wildlife protection laws and may prosecute Local authority

s.026

Enforcement of wildlife legislation

6 months imprisonment

Breach of habitat or species conservation regulations Any Person

Browse 51 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

s.002

Exceptions to s. 1.

s.004

Exceptions to ss. 1 and 3.

s.010

Exceptions to s. 9.

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.

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).

s.016

Power to grant licences.

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

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.

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.

s.021

Penalties, forfeitures etc.

s.022

Power to vary Schedules.

s.024

Functions of GB conservation bodies

s.026

Regulations, orders, notices etc.

s.026

Annual report on wildlife crime

s.027

Interpretation of Part I.

s.027

Application of Part 1 to England and Wales

Part II — Nature Conservation, Countryside and National Parks

s.028

Sites of special scientific interest.

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Natural England must notify owners and occupiers of SSSI designations Statutory regulator

s.028

Enlargement of SSSI.

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Natural England must notify owners and councils when enlarging an SSSI Statutory regulator

s.028

Denotification.

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Natural England must follow formal procedures to denotify SSSIs Statutory regulator

s.028

Statutory undertakers, etc.: general duty.

Unlimited fine

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Public authorities must further the conservation of SSSIs Crown / Minister / Government department

s.028

Statutory undertakers, etc.: duty in relation to carrying out operations.

Notify Natural England before carrying out works near an SSSI Any Person

s.028

Statutory undertakers, etc.: duty in relation to authorising operations.

Unlimited fine

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Natural England must be consulted before SSSI operations are authorised Statutory regulator

s.028

Payments.

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Natural England must compensate owners for withdrawn or modified consents Statutory regulator

s.028

Offences.

Unlimited fine

Damage or disturb a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Any Person

s.028

Change of owner or occupier.

Fine up to £200

Fail to notify Natural England of SSSI ownership or occupancy changes Any Person

s.028

Notices and signs relating to SSSIs

Fine up to £2,500

Damage or obscure SSSI signs or notices Any Person

s.031

Restoration following offence under section 28P.

Unlimited fine

Fail to comply with restoration order after SSSI damage Any Person

s.032

Duties of agriculture Ministers with respect to areas of special scientific interest.

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Ministers must consider nature conservation and SSSI damage in grant decisions Crown / Minister / Government department

s.033

Ministerial guidance as respects areas of special scientific interest.

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.

Unlimited fine

Unauthorised removal or disturbance of limestone pavement Any Person

s.037

Ramsar sites.

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Natural England and NRW must notify owners of Ramsar site designations Statutory regulator

s.041

Duties of agriculture Ministers with respect to the countryside.

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Relevant authority must offer management agreement if grant is refused Crown / Minister / Government department

s.042

Notification of agricultural operations on moor and heath in National Parks.

Unlimited fine

Notify National Park Authority before agricultural work on moor or heath Occupier

s.051

Powers of entry.

Fine up to £1,000

Obstructing an authorised inspector entering your land Any Person

Browse 34 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

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.

s.030

Compensation where order is made under s. 29.

s.034

Meaning of “appropriate conservation body”

s.035

National nature reserves.

s.035

Power to call in subtidal declarations

s.036

Marine nature reserves.

s.037

Byelaws for protection of marine nature reserves.

s.038

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

s.039

Management agreements with owners and occupiers of land.

s.040

Experimental schemes.

s.041

Application of sections 42 to 45 in Wales

s.043

Maps of National Parks showing certain areas of moor or heath.

s.044

Grants and loans for purposes of National Parks.

s.045

Power to vary order designating National Park.

s.046

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

s.047

Grants to the Countryside Council for Wales

s.048

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

s.049

Extension of power to appoint wardens.

s.050

Payments under certain agreements offered by authorities.

s.051

Summary prosecutions

s.052

Interpretation of Part II.

Part III — Public Rights of Way

s.053

Register of applications under section 53.

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Local authorities must maintain a public register of rights of way applications Local authority

s.059

Prohibition on keeping bulls on land crossed by public rights of way.

Fine up to £1,000

Keep a bull in a field crossed by a public right of way Occupier

s.061

Ploughing of public rights of way.

Fine up to £200

Unlawful ploughing or failure to restore public rights of way Occupier

Browse 15 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

s.053

Duty to keep definitive map and statement under continuous review.

s.053

Power to include modifications in other orders.

s.054

Duty to reclassify roads used as public paths.

s.054

BOATs not to be added to definitive maps.

s.055

No further surveys or reviews under the 1949 Act.

s.056

Effect of definitive map and statement.

s.057

Supplementary provisions as to definitive maps and statements.

s.057

Consolidation of definitive maps and statements.

s.058

Application of ss. 53 to 57 to inner London.

s.060

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

s.062

Appointment of wardens for public rights of way.

s.063

Orders creating, extinguishing or diverting footpaths and bridleways.

s.064

Publication of dedication of footpaths and bridleways.

s.065

Signposting of byways open to all traffic.

s.066

Interpretation of Part III.

Part IV — Miscellaneous and General

s.069

Offences by bodies corporate etc.

2 years imprisonment

Personal liability of directors and managers for company wildlife offences Director or Officer

s.069

Offences by Scottish partnerships etc.

2 years imprisonment

Liability of Scottish partners and managers for wildlife offences Any Person

Browse 11 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

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

s.068

Application to the Isles of Scilly.

s.070

Financial provisions.

s.070

Service of notices.

s.070

Effect of failure to serve certain notices

s.071

General interpretation.

s.072

Minor amendments.

s.073

Repeals and savings.

s.074

Short title commencement and extent.

Schedules

s.010

Amendment of the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1976

Fine up to £200

Obstruct authorised wildlife inspection Any Person

Browse 123 other Schedules — structural / supplementary

s.001

Birds which are Protected by Special Penalties

s.007

Protection of Certain Mammals Amendment of Acts In Relation To Night Shooting of Hares and Rabbits

s.008

Plants which are Protected

s.011

Procedure in Connection with Certain Orders under Part II

s.015

Procedure in Connection with Certain Orders Under Part III

s.sch001a

Birds which are Protected from Harassment

s.sch002

Birds which may be Killed or Taken

s.sch003

Birds which may be Sold

s.sch004

Birds Which Must Be Registered and Ringed if Kept in Captivity

s.sch005

Animals which are Protected

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

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

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

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

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

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

s.schedule/10/part/4/chapter//paragraph/wrapper1n2

The kinds of amphibian specified in the first column below—...

Other sections — not classified into a Part

These sections sit outside the numbered Parts — usually provisions added or moved by later amendments.

Browse 2 other sections

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

Read the full Act on legislation.gov.uk

Official guidance

Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.

Gamebirds: licences to release them on protected sites (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
Firearms fees from 5 February 2025 (Home Office circular) (opens in a new tab) Publication
Natural Resources Wales / Water vole licensing (opens in a new tab) from NRW Detailed Guidance
Natural Resources Wales / UK Protected Plant Licensing (opens in a new tab) from NRW Detailed Guidance
Natural Resources Wales / Whales, Dolphins, Turtles and Porpoises licensing (opens in a new tab) from NRW Detailed Guidance
Natural Resources Wales / Red and Grey Squirrel licensing (opens in a new tab) from NRW Detailed Guidance
Natural Resources Wales / Pine Marten, Polecat, Shrews and Stoat Licensing (opens in a new tab) from NRW Detailed Guidance
Natural Resources Wales / Possess, transport, sell or exchange a protected species (opens in a new tab) from NRW Detailed Guidance
Natural Resources Wales / Small Mammal Licensing (opens in a new tab) from NRW Detailed Guidance
Natural Resources Wales / Invertebrate licensing (opens in a new tab) from NRW Detailed Guidance
... and 79 more

Enforcement and responsible bodies

The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.

Connected legislation

1 statutory instrument

These instruments amend, apply, or refer to this Act. They may not all create direct business obligations.

Secondary legislation (1)

Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2007 2007

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Regulators

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