UK Act of Parliament 2006 United Kingdom

Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006

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At a glance

What's here

11 compliance obligations, 5 practical guides across 2 topics · 4 journeys

Penalty landscape

2 of 11 obligations carry an unlimited fine. 2 carry different penalties and 7 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.

Who this Act binds

Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.

  • Any Person 6

Plus 5 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.

Step-by-step journeys using this legislation

Walkthroughs that take you from a real business situation to compliance.

Relevant guidance

Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.

Direct — cites this Act

3 guides

Mentioned in related content

2 guides

Other Acts binding the same actors

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 749 other Acts (top 5 shown)

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 1 — Natural England and the Commission for Rural Communities

s.002

General purpose

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Natural England must conserve and manage the natural environment Statutory regulator
s.003

Review and research

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Natural England must review and research matters relating to its purpose Statutory regulator
Browse 28 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Part 2 — Nature conservation in the UK

s.033

Purpose of functions under this Part

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Conservation bodies must promote nature conservation and sustainable development Statutory regulator
Browse 8 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Part 3 — Wildlife etc.

s.041

Biodiversity lists and action (England)

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must maintain and act on biodiversity conservation lists Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 12 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
s.040

Biodiversity reports

Part 4 — Sites of special scientific interest

Browse 2 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Part 5 — National Parks and the Broads

Browse 7 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Part 6 — Rights of way

Browse 7 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Part 7 — Inland waterways

Browse 5 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Part 8 — Flexible administrative arrangements

s.095

Directions

  • A board must comply with directions from the Secretary of State Any Person
Browse 20 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
s.089

Identification and traceability of animals

Part 9 — Miscellaneous

Browse 1 other section in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Part 10 — Final provisions

Browse 6 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement

Schedules

Browse 12 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Read the full Act on legislation.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)

Official guidance

Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.

Enforcement and responsible bodies

The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.

Environment Agency

Primary

Environmental protection in England. Regulates waste, emissions, water quality, flood risk, and environmental permits for industrial activities. Enforces environmental law and issues …

OEP

Office for Environmental Protection

Independent body established post-Brexit to scrutinise environmental law and investigate complaints about public authorities' failures to comply with environmental law in England …

NatureScot

Scotland's nature agency. Advises government, manages protected areas, licenses activities affecting wildlife. Formerly Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

AHDB

Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board

Statutory levy board funded by farmers, growers, and others in the agriculture and horticulture supply chain. Collects levies on livestock, cereals, oilseeds, …

DEFRA

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Government department responsible for environmental protection, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries, and rural communities. Sets environmental policy and works with agencies …

Natural England

Government adviser for the natural environment in England. Responsible for wildlife licensing (protected species), designating and managing protected sites (SSSIs, National Nature …

NRW

Natural Resources Wales

Principal environmental regulator for Wales. Combines functions of Environment Agency Wales, Countryside Council for Wales, and Forestry Commission Wales. Issues environmental permits, …

SEPA

Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Scotland's principal environmental regulator. Protects and improves Scotland's environment. Issues environmental permits for waste, emissions, water abstraction, and radioactive substances. Enforces environmental …

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Regulators

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