- Enforced by
- Environment Agency, NatureScot
- Status
- Amended (in force with amendments)
- Penalty ceiling
- Imprisonment 4 of 22 obligations carry a criminal penalty. 7 carry different penalties and 11 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Does it bind you?
Business-side roles with duties under this instrument.
Plus 10 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
Director or Officer — also bound by 429 other Acts
What it requires
Regulations 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.
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS
1 of 10 sections shownOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Scottish public bodies must preserve wild bird habitat in exercising functionsCrown / Minister / Government department
9 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
CONSERVATION OF NATURAL HABITATS AND HABITATS OF SPECIES
4 of 41 sections shownOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Scottish Ministers must designate national-importance sites as SACsCrown / Minister / Government department
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Keep a public register of protected European sitesCrown / Minister / Government department
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Planning authorities must keep public register of European sitesLocal authority
- Damage natural features of a European protected siteAny Person
Unlimited fine
37 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
PROTECTION OF SPECIES
5 of 13 sections shown- Harm or disturb European protected speciesAny Person
Unlimited fine
- Use prohibited methods to take or kill wild animalsAny Person
Unlimited fine
- Damage or trade in protected wild plantsAny Person
- Make false statement to obtain conservation licenceAny Person
Unlimited fine
- Breach conservation licence conditionAny Person
8 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
ADAPTATION OF PLANNING AND OTHER CONTROLS
5 of 54 sections shown- Provide information for habitat site assessment when applying for consentAny Person
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Scottish Ministers must ensure appropriate assessment of European site projectsCrown / Minister / Government department
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Competent authority must follow consultation and notification procedures before approving projects with negative environmental assessmentStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local planning authority must review planning permissions affecting protected habitatsLocal authority
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Planning authority must consider planning obligations before imposing restrictionsLocal authority
49 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENTS FOR LAND USE PLANS
1 of 6 sections shownOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Plan-making authorities must assess land use plans for impacts on protected European sitesLocal authority
5 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
6 of 41 sections shown- Obstruct an authorised person carrying out land survey or valuationOccupier
Fine up to £1,000
- Attempt or possess equipment to commit habitat offenceAny Person
- Obstruct constable taking samplesAny Person
- Obstruct wildlife inspector or fail to comply with inspection requirementsAny Person
- Officer/partner liable for company's nature-conservation offenceDirector or Officer
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Scottish Ministers must encourage research and scientific work for wildlifeCrown / Minister / Government department
35 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
Schedules
0 of 11 shown11 other schedules
2 other provisions
Help complying
Guvnor’s practical routes through this instrument.
Development affecting protected species in Scotland
Learning path for developers whose projects may affect protected species in Scotland. Covers the legal framework, ecology surveys, NatureScot species licensing, offences …
Farming on SSSI land in Scotland
A learning path for Scottish farmers and land managers with SSSI-designated land - understand your conservation obligations, manage deer and muirburn lawfully, …
Construction near a heritage site in Scotland
Learning path for construction businesses working near protected heritage assets in Scotland. Covers scheduled monuments, listed buildings, conservation areas, archaeological assessments, and …
Responding to NatureScot enforcement action
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 …
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 …
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, …
Understanding nature conservation law in Scotland
How Scotland's nature conservation framework works, why it differs from England and Wales, and what it means for businesses operating in Scotland. …
1 more guide that reference this instrument
Duty extraction and severity labels are Guvnor’s analysis of the instrument, not the instrument itself. Always verify against the linked source text.