Regulator profile

NatureScot

Enforcement Regulator

3 areas of regulation · 13 laws enforced · Scotland

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Nature Conservation Protected Areas Wildlife Licensing

What NatureScot does

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

Additional information

Scottish equivalent of Natural England. Manages NNRs and SSSIs in Scotland.

Legal framework

Legislation that NatureScot directly enforces.

Primary legislation

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) Act 1981
Protection of Badgers Act 1992 Act 1992
Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 Act 1996
Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 - Scottish access rights Act 2003
Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 Act 2004
Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 Act 2010
WNESA 2011 Act 2011
WMMSA 2024 Act 2024

Secondary legislation

Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 UK Statutory Instrument 1994
Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2007 Scottish Statutory Instrument 2007
The Deer (Close Seasons) (Scotland) Order 2011 Scottish Statutory Instrument 2011
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedule 9) (Scotland) Order 2012 Scottish Statutory Instrument 2012
Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019 UK Statutory Instrument 2019

Legislation connected to NatureScot's remit but not directly enforced — establishing Acts, amendments, referenced legislation, and context.

Sectors regulated

Agriculture, horticulture, fisheries and pets

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What NatureScot does

Additional information

Legal framework

Primary legislation

Secondary legislation

Related legislation

Establishing / enabling

Administered / monitored

Referenced in enforcement

Sectors regulated