Influencing policy

POLICY and LEGISLATION

UK Legislation relating to amphibians and reptiles

Different legislation protecting amphibians and reptiles applies in the different countries of the UK; key legislation is summarised in the table below. While we endeavour to keep this up to date, please note that changes will occur and that therefore we cannot guarantee that the advice posted will always be up to date. Advice given here can at best be a summary and reference back to original legislation is recommended.

Legislation	England	Northern Ireland	Scotland	Wales
Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981	yes		yes	yes
Conservation (Natural Habitats & c.) Regulations 1994	yes		yes	yes
The Conservation (Nature Habitats, etc.) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995http://www.opsi.gov.uk/Sr/sr1995/Nisr_19950380_en_1.htm		yes
Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000	yes			yes
Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/acts2004/20040006.htm			yes
The Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 http://www.opsi.gov.uk/Sr/sr2004/20040435.htm		yes
Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006	yes			yes
Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2007 http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/ssi2007/ssi_20070080_en_1			yes
The Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 http://www.opsi.gov.uk/Sr/sr2007/20070345.htm		yes
The Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) Regulations 2009	yes			yes
Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010	yes			yes

An outline of the protection afforded to Amphibians and Reptiles relating to each country in the UK can be obtained by clicking the links below.

England and Wales.>>>

Scotland.>>>

Northern Ireland.>>>

Isle of Man.>>>

More on:

The UK Biodiversity Action Plan.>>>
Land-use planning.>>>
Species Action Plans.>>>
Wildlife legislation.>>>