Wildlife legislation in the UK is complicated, both through its steady evolution and amendment creating numerous different acts, regulations and statutory orders, etc, but also because the Environment is a devolved function for the different country administrations in the UK. Therefore different legislation (and policy) has developed in the different countries of the UK. It is also further complicated by the interaction between national, European and international legislation and jurisprudence. Different levels of protection apply to different species.

 

Click here to see a summary which identifies the protection afforded to reptile and amphibian species in England and Wales through nature conservation legislation; we have not addressed site/habitat protection

mechanisms. Some additional protection can be afforded

through animal welfare legislation and through other

measures, such as land use planning regimes. 

 

Scotland.>>>
Northern Ireland.>>>
 Isle of Man.>>>

 

More on:

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