Agriculture & Farming

Run a compliant forestry business

Whatever forestry work you do — growing, felling, haulage to roadside or tree surgery — the same core duties apply, and health and safety leads by a distance: forestry has one of the highest fatal-injury rates of any sector. Manage the high-hazard fieldwork, keep chainsaws and lifting equipment compliant with certificated operators, insure your employees including seasonal and contract workers, do not discriminate, and handle personal data lawfully.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Forestry operations, consents and timber rules

The consents and product rules for forestry work, by activity. Felling growing trees generally needs a felling licence with restocking conditions; larger afforestation, deforestation, forest roads and quarries need an Environmental Impact Assessment opinion first. Tree nurseries must register as professional plant-health operators and issue plant passports, and suppliers of forest seed and planting stock must register with the Forestry Commission. Marketing your own harvested timber makes you a UK Timber Regulation operator with due-diligence duties. Work on protected trees needs local planning authority consent, and professional pesticide use needs certificated operators.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Fishing and aquaculture: compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm your fishing or aquaculture business meets its obligations. Work through the universal shore-based duties every operator shares, then the sections for sea fishing vessels and for aquaculture and freshwater fishing. If you answer no to any item, follow the linked guide before you proceed.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Set up and run a safe fishing or aquaculture business

Whether you operate a fishing vessel, run a fish farm or harvest shellfish, you have shore-based duties that apply across the board. This is the universal spine for fishing and aquaculture businesses. It takes you through your general health and safety duty for premises and shore-based operations, fire safety for hatcheries, processing sheds, net stores and offices, employers' liability insurance, equality and data protection.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Meet bovine TB testing requirements for cattle

Comprehensive guide to bovine TB testing requirements for UK cattle farmers. Covers testing frequency by risk area (HRA, Edge, LRA), pre-movement testing (60 days validity, 30 for Scotland), post-movement testing (60-120 day window), reactor handling (10 working day removal), compensation system and reduction rules (up to 95% for non-compliance), movement restrictions during breakdowns, and record-keeping requirements. Includes geographic callouts for Wales and Scotland differences.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Forestry compliance checklist

A confirmation checklist for forestry and logging businesses. Work through the cross-cutting duties every forestry business shares, then the section for what you do — growing trees and nursery supply, felling and harvesting, selling timber, or forestry support and tree surgery.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Which forestry rules apply to your business

Forestry businesses — woodland managers, tree nurseries, felling and harvesting contractors, timber merchants and tree surgeons — answer to the Forestry Commission and its devolved counterparts for consents, HSE for one of the highest-hazard work environments in any sector, and a set of product and plant-health regimes for moving trees and marketing timber. What you must do depends on what you do: grow, fell, sell or support. Work out which you are and follow the right guide.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Fish farming and first-sale fish in Scotland: authorisation, health and registration

What a fish or shellfish farmer, or a buyer or seller of wild-caught fish, must do in Scotland. Farms need authorisation as an aquaculture production business and must follow disease, movement and escape controls overseen by the Fish Health Inspectorate. Anyone who buys fish from a fishing boat, or sells it at auction, must be registered with the Scottish Ministers under the Sea Fishing (EU Control Measures) (Scotland) Order 2015.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Commercial fishing licence and compliance

How to get a commercial fishing licence and comply with UK fishing regulations. Covers vessel licensing, quota allocation, catch recording, I-VMS requirements, and fish export certificates.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Which fishing and aquaculture regulations apply to your business

Every fishing and aquaculture business shares the same workplace health and safety foundation for shore-based operations, then the rules diverge by whether you operate a sea fishing vessel, run an aquaculture production business, or fish freshwater commercially.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Running a commercial drone business

This guide is for any business that flies drones for work. It covers the Operator ID and Flyer IDs you need, the Open and Specific categories, Operational Authorisations, pilot qualifications and third-party insurance. It also sets out the checks to make before every flight.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Understanding the Water Framework Directive for businesses

How the Water Framework Directive shapes UK water regulation — river basin management, water body classification, the no-deterioration principle, and what it means for any business whose activities affect surface water or groundwater. Explains the post-Brexit retention position and the four-nation regulatory landscape.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Open, Specific and Certified drone categories explained

UK drone rules sort every flight into the Open, Specific or Certified category according to how much risk it carries. This guide explains what each category allows, what moves work from Open into Specific, how PDRA01 and UK SORA differ, and why a crop-spraying drone needs a UK SORA-based Operational Authorisation.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

UK drone class marks, Remote ID and registration dates

Check in one table which UK drone rules have applied since 1 January 2026 and which apply from 1 January 2028. It covers UK class marks, EU C-class drones, Remote ID, the General VLOS Certificate, Operator ID and Flyer ID.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Biocides and Pesticides Authorisation

Get HSE CRD authorisation for biocidal and pesticidal products.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Comply with work equipment safety regulations (PUWER)

How to meet your legal duties under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER). Covers suitability, maintenance, inspection, guarding of dangerous parts, controls and emergency stops, training and information requirements. PUWER applies to all work equipment from hand tools to complex machinery.

Applies if you give your workers machinery, plant, vehicles or tools to use at work

Use mobile work equipment safely

How to comply with PUWER Regulations 25-30 for mobile work equipment such as forklift trucks, dumpers, excavators, and tractors. Covers roll-over protection, seatbelts, visibility, traffic management, and operator training.

Applies to some businesses in this sector – open the guide to check

Get authorisation for a water activity in Scotland (EASR)

How to get authorisation for any activity affecting surface water or groundwater in Scotland — abstraction, impoundment, engineering in or near a water body, and discharges. Since 1 November 2025 water activities are authorised under the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018 (EASR), which replaced the Controlled Activities Regulations (CAR 2011) framework. Covers the four-tier authorisation system (General Binding Rules, notification, registration, permit), pre-application advice, fees, and enforcement, all administered by SEPA.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

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 how survey results feed into NatureScot licensing and the planning process.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

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. Covers the role of NatureScot, the hierarchy of protected areas, species protection, the biodiversity duty, and how conservation requirements interact with the planning system.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

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, raptor persecution, beaver protection, and vicarious liability.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Remove or manage hedgerows lawfully

How to remove a hedgerow lawfully under the Hedgerows Regulations 1997 and manage agricultural hedgerows under the Management of Hedgerows (England) Regulations 2024. Covers when a hedgerow removal notice is required, 'important hedgerow' criteria, the 42-day application process, local planning authority powers, exemptions for agriculture and planning permission, buffer strips and the cutting ban, penalties for unlawful removal, and interaction with ancient woodland protections.

Applies if you fell, prune or carry out tree work, or if you are developing land, or changing the use of land or buildings

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 licences, the three derogation tests, application process, and what happens if you proceed without a licence.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

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, Japanese knotweed management, and NatureScot's species control orders.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

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 options, controlled waste disposal, and liability implications for property transactions.

Applies if you dig, move or dump soil, or clear vegetation, where invasive plants may be present, or if you are developing land, or changing the use of land or buildings

Manage access land and SSSIs on your property

Understand your obligations as a landowner of open access land or Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Covers right to roam, reduced liability, temporary closures, SSSI consent requirements, and penalties for non-compliance.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Wildlife management and muirburn licensing in Scotland

How the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024 changes wildlife management practices in Scotland. Covers the new muirburn licensing regime, trap and snare reforms, glue trap ban, and general licences for bird control.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Understanding UK wildlife law for businesses

An overview of how UK wildlife protection law affects businesses, from construction and agriculture to events and tourism. Covers the main Acts, who enforces them, and common scenarios where businesses need to comply.

Applies if you are developing land, or changing the use of land or buildings, or if you commission or pay for construction work on your own account

Get a water discharge permit

How to get an environmental permit for discharging liquid effluent or waste water to surface water or groundwater. Covers standard rules and bespoke permits, groundwater protection, monitoring requirements, and the difference between environmental permits and trade effluent consent.

Applies if you release liquid effluent or waste water into a river, the sea or the ground

Trade effluent consent for discharging to sewers

How to get consent from your water company to discharge trade effluent into public sewers. Covers what counts as trade effluent, when consent is needed, how to apply, prohibited substances, consent conditions, charges, and enforcement under the Water Industry Act 1991.

Applies if you put process liquids, washwater or other non-household effluent down the drain into the public sewer

Apply for a water abstraction licence

How to apply for a licence to abstract water from rivers, streams, boreholes, or other sources. Covers the 20 cubic metres per day threshold, licence types, pre-application enquiries, Environmental Impact Assessment, annual charges, and devolved nation requirements.

Applies if you take water from a river, borehole, spring or well rather than the mains

Spraying crops with drones: what you need before you can

No pesticide is commercially authorised for drone application in the UK. HSE allows drone spraying only under a limited number of Extrapolated Trials Permits. Where a permit covers your work, you need a CAA Operational Authorisation, an aerial application certificate, an HSE Aerial Spraying Permit for every application, qualified operators and tested equipment.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Meet your aquaculture and freshwater fishing duties

If you run a fish farm, shellfish farm, hatchery or recirculating aquaculture system, or fish freshwater commercially, you need authorisation from the Fish Health Inspectorate, the right marine or freshwater licences, and — for shellfish — classified production areas. This guide covers all the sector-specific licensing and consenting from aquaculture authorisation through to water abstraction for land-based farms.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Drone spraying job checklist

Check before each drone spraying job that your permissions, people, aircraft, insurance and spray area meet the rules. There are currently no commercial authorisations for applying pesticides by drone in the UK, so drone application is possible only under an Extrapolated Trials Permit.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Understand farm rules after cross-compliance ended

What environmental, animal health, and land management rules still apply to farms now that cross-compliance has ended. Explains how enforcement changed when cross-compliance ended on 31 December 2023 and which regulators are responsible for what.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Scottish farm compliance: cattle ID, animal welfare, nitrate zones and conditionality

What a Scottish farm or croft must do to tag and register cattle with ScotEID, report cattle movements, meet the Welfare of Farmed Animals (Scotland) Regulations 2010 for cattle, pigs and poultry, follow the nitrate vulnerable zone rules and keep its farm support payments under cross compliance. Scotland has its own regulations, its own regulators and its own penalty scale, so the England rules cannot be applied here.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Recognise and report notifiable animal diseases

How to identify signs of notifiable diseases in livestock and report suspected cases to APHA. Covers bovine TB, avian influenza, foot-and-mouth, swine fever, and other notifiable diseases with immediate reporting requirements.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Meet your sea fishing vessel duties

If you operate a sea fishing vessel commercially, you must hold a fishing vessel licence, register the vessel and meet MCA safety requirements, and — if you buy or sell first-sale fish in England — register with the MMO. This guide covers all three duties.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Grow and sell crops: seed, spraying and certification

Arable and horticultural growers face rules at every stage of the crop cycle — certified seed if you market seed, certificates of competence for everyone who applies pesticides professionally, regular sprayer testing, and registration duties for vineyards and wine production. Water and nutrient rules sit alongside these and have their own guides.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Identify and tag sheep and goats

How to identify and tag sheep and goats correctly. Covers double EID tagging for breeding stock, batch tagging for animals going direct to slaughter under 12 months, tagging deadlines, and replacement rules for lost or damaged tags.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Which farming rules apply to your business

Farming is regulated by what you produce and where you farm. Livestock keepers register land and animals before anything moves; arable and horticultural growers face seed, spraying and water rules; every farm in England now answers to the rules that replaced cross-compliance. Work out which farm type fits your business below, then follow the matching guidance.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Navigate farm assurance schemes

Comparison of major UK farm assurance schemes including Red Tractor, RSPCA Assured, Soil Association Organic, and LEAF Marque. Covers membership costs, audit frequency, standards above statutory baseline, market access benefits, and overlap with statutory requirements. Includes decision framework for choosing schemes by farm type and market, and devolved nation schemes (QMS, FAWL).

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Fish for salmon in Scotland as a business: right or permission, methods and close times

What a business that fishes for salmon, sells fishing or guides anglers in Scotland must have and do. Scotland has no national salmon licence. The law turns on holding the fishing right or having the proprietor's written permission, then using a permitted method and keeping to the close times and the conservation rules for your river.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Set up equestrian or livery services on your farm

How to comply with VAT, licensing, and insurance requirements when offering livery, riding lessons, or equestrian facilities. Covers VAT treatment, riding establishment licensing, and specialist insurance needs.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Set up and run a compliant farm shop

How to register, comply with food safety, and handle VAT when selling produce directly from your farm. Covers food business registration, HACCP requirements, and VAT treatment of different products.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Scottish feed, animal transport and animal by-products: register, authorise and dispose

What a Scottish feed merchant, livestock haulier, dealer, abattoir supplier or farm must do to register as a feed business with Food Standards Scotland, get a transporter authorisation for animal journeys, and collect and dispose of animal by-products and fallen stock. Scotland has its own regulations and its own enforcers for each.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Welfare at the time of killing in Wales and Northern Ireland: certificates and CCTV

What a slaughterhouse or other business that kills animals must do in Wales and in Northern Ireland. Each nation has its own 2014 Regulations enforcing Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009, its own competent authority, its own certificate rules and its own CCTV Regulations, with different dates.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

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 Requiring Consent, NatureScot's enforcement powers, management agreement payments, and what happens if you damage SSSI features.

Relevant across several parts of this sector.

Licences for dog boarding, day care and other pet care work

Usually yes in England if you board dogs or cats or run dog day care: you need an animal activity licence from your council. Grooming and dog walking are outside the licensing scheme unless the service amounts to dog day care, but local licences, permits and dog limits can apply.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.

Plant passports for selling plants and seeds online

Usually yes, if you sell plants or listed seeds as a business online, by phone or by post, even to a home gardener. Selling in person to the public needs no passport.

Relevant to a specific activity in this sector.