The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994

• Citation: S.I. 1994/2716
• Sections: 175

Section 1 Citation and commencement

(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994.

(2) These Regulations shall come into force on the tenth day after that on which they are made.

Section 2 Interpretation and application

(1) In these Regulations–

“ the 2004 Act ” means the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004;

“the 2007 Regulations” means the Offshore Marine Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 2007;

“agriculture Minister” means the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food or the Secretary of State;

“British fishery limits” has the meaning given by the Fishery Limits Act 1976;

“competent authority” shall be construed in accordance with regulation 6;

“conservation” has the meaning given by Article 1(a) of the Habitats Directive;

“conservation status” and “favourable conservation status” have the meanings given by paragraphs (e) (in relation to habitats) and (i) (in relation to species) of Article 1 of the Habitats Directive;

“destroy”, in relation to an egg, includes doing anything to the egg which is calculated to prevent it from hatching, and “destruction” shall be construed accordingly;

“the Directives” means the Habitats Directive and the Wild Birds Directive;

...

“enactment” includes a local enactment and an enactment contained in subordinate legislation within the meaning of the Interpretation Act 1978 ;

“European offshore marine site” means a European offshore marine site within the meaning of regulation 15 (meaning of European offshore marine site) of the 2007 Regulations;

“European site” has the meaning given by regulation 10 and “European marine site” means a European site which consists of, or so far as it consists of, marine areas;

“functions” includes powers and duties;

“ the Habitats Directive ” means Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora as amended from time to time , but subject to paragraph (2A) ;

“ land ” includes buildings and other structures, land covered with water, and any right or interest in or over land;

“livestock” includes any animal which is kept–

for the provision of food, skins or fur,

for the purpose of its use in the carrying on of any agricultural activity, or

for the provision or improvement of shooting or fishing;

“local authority” means a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994;

“local planning authority” means–

in England and Wales, except as otherwise provided, any authority having any function as a local planning authority or mineral planning authority under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 , and

in Scotland, a planning authority within the meaning of section 172(1) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 ;

“management agreement” means an agreement entered into, or having effect as if entered into, under regulation 16;

“marine area” means any land covered (continuously or intermittently) by tidal waters or any part of the sea in or adjacent to Great Britain up to the seaward limit of territorial waters;

“Natura 2000” means the European network of special areas of conservation, and special protection areas under the Wild Birds Directive, provided for by Article 3(1) of the Habitats Directive (but see paragraphs (6) and (7)) ;

“ natural feature ” in relation to land means–

any of its flora or fauna, or

any natural habitat existing on that land;

“nature conservation body”, and “appropriate nature conservation body” in relation to England, Wales or Scotland, have the meaning given by regulation 4;

“the offshore marine area” means—

any part of the seabed and subsoil situated in any area designated under section 1(7) of the Continental Shelf Act 1964; and

any part of the waters within British fishery limits (except the internal waters of, and the territorial sea adjacent to, the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man);

“offshore marine installation” means any artificial island, installation or structure (other than a ship) which is situated—

in any part of the waters in any area designated under section 1(7) of the Continental Shelf Act 1964; or

in any part of the waters in any area designated under section 84(4) of the Energy Act 2004;

“planning authority”, in Scotland, means a planning authority within the meaning of section 172(1) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973;

“priority natural habitat types” has the meaning given by Article 1(d) of the Habitats Directive;

“priority species” has the meaning given by Article 1(h) of the Habitats Directive;

“the register” means the register of European sites in Great Britain provided for by regulation 11;

“relevant authorities”, in relation to marine areas and European marine sites, shall be construed in accordance with regulation 5;

“the requirements of the Directives” is to be interpreted in accordance with regulation 2A(3) and (4);

“the retained transposing regulations” means—

the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017;

the Conservation of Offshore Marine Habitats and Species Regulations 2017;

the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc. ) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995; and

these Regulations,

“the other retained transposing regulations” means the retained transposing regulations other than these Regulations;

“Scottish marine area” means the area of sea within the seaward limits of the territorial sea of the United Kingdom adjacent to Scotland;

“site” has the meaning given by Article 1(j) of the Habitats Directive;

“site of Community importance” has the meaning given by Article 1(k) of the Habitats Directive;

“special area of conservation” has the meaning given by Article 1(l) of the Habitats Directive and includes any such site designated after exit day under the retained transposing regulations;

“ statutory undertaker ” has the meaning given in section 58(1) of the 2004 Act;

“the UK site network” means the network of sites in the United Kingdom’s territory consisting of such sites as—

immediately before exit day formed part of Natura 2000; or

at any time on or after exit day are European sites, European marine sites and European offshore marine sites for the purposes of any of the retained transposing regulations;

“the United Kingdom’s territory” means the United Kingdom and the offshore marine area;

“wild bird” means a bird which is—

a member of a species referred to in Article 1 of the Wild Birds Directive; and

wild; and

“the Wild Birds Directive” means Directive 2009/147/ EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conservation of wild birds, as amended from time to time , but subject to paragraph (2A) .

(1A) An animal shall not be treated as bred in captivity for the purposes of Part III of these Regulations unless its parents were lawfully held in captivity–

(a) where the animal is of a viviparous species, when it was born;

(b) where the animal is of an oviparous species, when the egg was laid.

(1B) The reference in paragraph (1A) to “ lawfully ” means without any contravention of these Regulations or Part I of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

(2) Unless the context otherwise requires, expressions not defined in paragraph (1) which are used in these Regulations and also in the Habitats Directive have the same meaning as in that Directive.

(2ZA) Unless the context otherwise requires, expressions not defined in paragraph (1) which are used in the Wild Birds Directive and in these Regulations have the same meaning as in that Directive.

(2A) In these Regulations references to any Annex to the Habitats Directive or, as the case may be, any Annex to the Wild Birds Directive, are references to that Annex as it had effect immediately before exit day, or as subsequently amended under regulation 114.

(2B) Any reference to a numbered provision of these Regulations is—

(a) in relation to England and Wales, to the provision of that number which has effect in England and Wales; and

(b) in relation to Scotland, to the provision of that number which has effect in Scotland.

(3) In these Regulations, unless otherwise indicated–

(a) any reference to a numbered regulation or Schedule is to the regulation or Schedule in these Regulations which bears that number, and

(b) any reference in a regulation or Schedule to a numbered paragraph is to the paragraph of that regulation or Schedule which bears that number.

(4) Subject to regulation 68 (which provides for Part IV to be construed as one with the Town and Country Planning Act 1990), these Regulations apply to the Isles of Scilly as if the Isles were a county and the Council of the Isles were a county council.

(5) For the purposes of these Regulations the territorial waters of the United Kingdom adjacent to Great Britain shall be treated as part of Great Britain and references to England, Wales and Scotland shall be construed as including the adjacent territorial waters.

For the purposes of this paragraph–

(a) territorial waters include any waters landward of the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured; and

(b) any question as to whether territorial waters are to be treated as adjacent to England, Wales or Scotland shall be determined by the Secretary of State or, for any purpose in relation to which the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has responsibility, by the Secretary of State and that Minister acting jointly.

(6) For the purposes of—

(a) these Regulations; and

(b) any guidance issued before exit day by the Scottish Ministers or the appropriate nature conservation body relating to the application of these Regulations,

on or after exit day references to “Natura 2000” (other than in this regulation) are to be construed as references to the UK site network.

(7) Paragraph (6) does not affect the interpretation of these Regulations as they had effect, or any guidance as it applied, before exit day.

Section 2A Interpretation: the Directives

(1) The Habitats Directive is to be construed for the purposes of these Regulations as if—

(a) any reference to “the European territory of the Member States to which the Treaty applies” included a reference to the United Kingdom;

(b) any reference to “Member State” or “Member States” included a reference to the United Kingdom;

(c) any reference to “of Community interest” included, in relation to the United Kingdom, a reference to “of national interest”;

(d) in Article 1(d) and (h), references to “the Community” were references to “the European Union or the United Kingdom”; and

(e) in Article 1(l), the reference to “a site of Community importance designated by the Member States” included, in relation to the United Kingdom, a reference to a site of national importance designated under any of the retained transposing regulations.

(2) The Wild Birds Directive is to be construed for the purposes of these Regulations as if—

(a) any reference to “the European territory of the Member States to which the Treaty applies” included a reference to the United Kingdom; and

(b) any reference to “Member State” or “Member States” included a reference to the United Kingdom.

(3) Any reference in these Regulations to “the requirements of the Directives” is to be construed as if the objectives of the Directives included the objectives referred to in regulation 9D(2).

(4) The Scottish Ministers may, after consultation with the appropriate nature conservation body and such other bodies or persons as they consider appropriate, issue guidance as to the interpretation of the requirements of the Directives.

(5) Any guidance issued under paragraph (4) must be published by the Scottish Ministers in such manner as they consider appropriate.

Section 3 Duties relating to compliance with the Directives

(1) The Scottish Ministers, the appropriate nature conservation body and, in relation to the Scottish marine area, a competent authority must exercise their functions which are relevant to nature conservation, including marine conservation, so as to secure compliance with the requirements of the Directives.

(2) Paragraph (1) applies in particular to functions under the following enactments:—

the Dockyard Ports Regulation Act 1865;

the Hill Farming Act 1946;

Part III of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949;

the Land Drainage (Scotland) Act 1958;

the Harbours Act 1964;

the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 ;

section 49A of the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967 (management agreements);

section 15 of the Countryside Act 1968 (areas of special scientific interest);

Part II of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 (pollution of water);

Part I and section 35 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981;

sections 120 to 122 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (control of the seashore, adjacent waters and inland waters);

sections 2, 3, 5, 7 and 11 of the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991;

the Sea Fisheries Acts within the meaning of section 1 of the Sea Fisheries (Wildlife Conservation) Act 1992 (conservation in the exercise of sea fisheries functions);

the Environment Act 1995;

the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996;

the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997;

the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000;

Part 1 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 (access rights);

Part 1 of the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 (protection of the water environment);

Part 2 of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (conservation and enhancement of natural features);

the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006;

the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009;

the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010;

the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018 ; and

these Regulations.

(3) Without prejudice to the preceding provisions, a competent authority, in exercising their functions, must have regard to the requirements of the Directives so far as they may be affected by the exercise of those functions.

(4) In complying with their duties under paragraphs (1) and (3), the Scottish Ministers, the appropriate nature conservation body and a competent authority must have regard to any guidance issued under regulation 2A(4).

Section 3A Duties in relation to wild bird habitat

(1) Without prejudice to regulation 3(1), the Scottish Ministers, the appropriate nature conservation body and, in relation to the Scottish marine area, a competent authority must take such steps in the exercise of their functions as they consider appropriate to secure the objective in paragraph (3), so far as lies within their powers.

(2) Except in relation to the Scottish marine area, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, ... local authorities and National Park authorities must take such steps in the exercise of their functions as they consider appropriate to contribute to the achievement of the objective in paragraph (3).

(3) The objective is the preservation, maintenance and re-establishment of a sufficient diversity and area of habitat for wild birds in Scotland in implementation of Article 3 of the Wild Birds Directive (including by means of the upkeep, management and creation of such habitat, as appropriate), having regard to the requirements of Article 2 of that Directive.

(4) Paragraphs (1) and (2) apply in particular to functions under the following enactments:—

sections 23A to 24 of the Hill Farming Act 1946;

sections 16 to 18, 20 and 21 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 (agreements for management of nature reserves, powers of compulsory acquisition of land for nature reserves, and powers to make byelaws for the protection of nature reserves);

section 49A of the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967 (management agreements);

the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 ;

section 15 of the Countryside Act 1968 (areas of special scientific interest);

sections 14D to 14P of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (species control orders);

sections 7, 8 and 10 of the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996;

section 1 of the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000;

section 22 of the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003;

Part 2 of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (conservation and enhancement of natural features);

the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010;

the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018 ; and

any function exercisable in relation to town and country planning.

(5) In section 79(3)(a) of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 (creation of network of conservation sites), the reference to “the conservation or improvement of the marine environment” includes the objective in paragraph (3), and accordingly the duty in section 103 (reports to Parliament) of that Act applies in relation to that objective.

(6) In considering which measures may be appropriate for the purpose of securing or contributing to the objective in paragraph (3), regard may be had to economic and recreational requirements.

(7) The Scottish Ministers must take any measures they consider necessary to facilitate or co-ordinate arrangements to secure the taking of steps under paragraphs (1) and (2) by the persons mentioned in those paragraphs.

(8) So far as lies within its powers, a competent authority must use all reasonable endeavours to avoid pollution or deterioration of habitats of wild birds in Scotland.

Section 3B Review and guidance

(1) The appropriate nature conservation body must from time to time—

(a) review the extent to which the objective in regulation 3A(3) has been met, other than in relation to the Scottish marine area;

(b) set out the conclusions of the review in a report, including any recommendations for further action; and

(c) send the report to the Scottish Ministers.

(2) In carrying out the review, the appropriate nature conservation body must, so far as is reasonable, take account of any measures taken which contribute to the achievement of that objective, whether or not taken pursuant to a requirement imposed by any enactment.

(3) After consultation with the appropriate nature conservation body, the Scottish Ministers must give guidance to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, ... local authorities and National Park authorities—

(a) to facilitate the determination by those bodies of the extent to which the diversity and area of wild bird habitat is sufficient; and

(b) on the steps that it may be appropriate to take pursuant to regulation 3A(1) or (2).

(4) In exercising a function to which regulation 3A(1) or (2) applies, a body to which guidance has been given under paragraph (3) of this regulation must have regard to that guidance.

Section 3ZA Reports

(1) Within six years from exit day, and at least every six years thereafter, the Scottish Ministers must publish, in such form as they see fit, a report on the implementation of the measures taken for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of the Directives, and the achievement of the objectives set out in Article 2 of the Habitats Directive and Articles 2 and 3 of the Wild Birds Directive.

(2) The report under paragraph (1) must include in particular—

(a) information concerning conservation measures taken under Article 6(1) of the Habitats Directive;

(b) information on provisions mentioned in Article 12 of the Wild Birds Directive;

(c) an evaluation of the impact of those conservation measures on the conservation status of—

(i) the natural habitat types listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive, and

(ii) the species listed in Annex II of that Directive; and

(d) the main results of the surveillance and monitoring undertaken under regulations 37A and 41A.

Section 4 Nature conservation bodies

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), in these Regulations “nature conservation body” means Natural England, the Countryside Council for Wales or Scottish Natural Heritage; and references to “the appropriate nature conservation body”, in relation to England, Wales or Scotland shall be construed accordingly.

(2) In Parts IV and IVA of these Regulations, “nature conservation body” also includes the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, and references to “the appropriate nature conservation body” in relation to a European offshore marine site shall be construed as meaning the Joint Nature Conservation Committee.

Section 5 Relevant authorities in relation to marine areas and European marine sites

For the purposes of these Regulations the relevant authorities, in relation to a marine area or European marine site, are such of the following as have functions in relation to land or waters within or adjacent to that area or site–

(a) a nature conservation body;

(b) a county council, district council, London borough council or, in Scotland, a regional, islands or district council;

(c) the National Rivers Authority, a water undertaker or sewerage undertaker, or an internal drainage board;

(d) a navigation authority within the meaning of the Water Resources Act 1991 ;

(e) a harbour authority within the meaning of the Harbours Act 1964 ;

(f) a lighthouse authority;

(g) the Scottish Environment Protection Agency or a district salmon fishery board;

(h) a local fisheries committee constituted under the Sea Fisheries Regulation Act 1966 or any authority exercising the powers of such a committee;

(i) a National Park authority established by order under section 6 of the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000.

Section 6 Competent authorities generally

(1) For the purposes of these Regulations the expression “competent authority” includes any Minister, government department, public or statutory undertaker, public body of any description or person holding a public office.

The expression also includes any person exercising any function of a competent authority in the United Kingdom.

(2) In paragraph (1)—

(a) “public body” includes any local authority, joint board or joint committee; and

(b) “public office” means–

(a) an office under Her Majesty,

(b) an office created or continued in existence by a public general Act of Parliament, or

(c) an office the remuneration in respect of which is paid out of money provided by Parliament or money paid out of the Scottish Consolidated Fund .

(3) In paragraph (2)(a)—

“local authority”–

(a) in relation to England, means a county council, district council or London borough council, the Common Council of the City of London, the sub–treasurer of the Inner Temple, the under treasurer of the Middle Temple or a parish council,

(b) in relation to Wales, means a county council, county borough, council or community council, and

(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

“joint board” and “joint committee” in relation to England and Wales mean–

a joint or special planning board constituted for a National Park by order under paragraph 1 or 3 of Schedule 17 to the Local Government Act 1972 , or a joint planning board within the meaning of section 2 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, and

a joint committee appointed under section 102(1)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972,

and in relation to Scotland have the same meaning as in the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 .

Section 7 Duty to designate special areas of conservation

(1) The Scottish Ministers must, having regard to the priorities established under regulation 8, designate as special areas of conservation such sites in Scotland as they consider to be of national importance.

(2) Sites of national importance are sites which contribute significantly to the objective in paragraph (3)(a) or the objective in paragraph (3)(b).

(3) The objectives referred to in paragraph (2) are—

(a) the maintenance, or restoration, at favourable conservation status in their natural range of the natural habitat types listed in Annex I to the Habitats Directive or the species listed in Annex II to that Directive; and

(b) the maintenance of biological diversity within the Atlantic biogeographic region.

(4) For animal species which range over wide areas, those sites determined to be of national importance must correspond to places within the natural range of such species, which is distinct in providing the physical or biological factors essential to their life and reproduction.

(5) For aquatic species which range over wide areas, such sites are to be determined to be of national importance only where there is a clearly identifiable area which is distinct in providing the physical and biological factors essential to their life and reproduction.

(6) In determining which sites are of national importance for the purposes of paragraph (1), the Scottish Ministers must—

(a) apply the Annex III criteria;

(b) make their determination only on the basis of relevant scientific information; and

(c) have regard to the importance of the population of a species or area of a habitat found in the United Kingdom for the purpose of meeting the objectives in paragraph (3).

(7) For the purposes of paragraph (6)(a), the Annex III criteria are to be construed as if—

(a) for “Community importance” there were substituted “national importance”;

(b) a reference to a “Member State” is to be taken to be a reference to the Scottish Ministers;

(c) for “continuous ecosystem situated on both sides of one or more internal Community frontiers” there were substituted “continuous ecosystem extending beyond the borders of the United Kingdom”; and

(d) for “the biogeographical regions concerned and/or for the whole of the territory referred to in Article 2” there were substituted “the Atlantic biogeographical region”;

(8) In applying the Annex III criteria, the Scottish Ministers must—

(a) in relation to the application of stage 1 of those criteria, have regard to the advice of the appropriate nature conservation body; and

(b) in relation to the application of stage 2 of those criteria, have regard to the advice of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee.

(9) In this regulation, “the Annex III criteria” means the criteria set out in Annex III to the Habitats Directive.

Section 8 Priorities for designating special areas of conservation

(1) The Scottish Ministers must, in accordance with paragraph (2), establish priorities for designating as special areas of conservation such sites as they have determined to be sites of national importance.

(2) Priorities for the purpose of paragraph (1) must be established in the light of—

(a) the importance of the sites for the maintenance at, or restoration to, a favourable conservation status of—

(i) a natural habitat type specified in Annex I to the Habitats Directive; or

(ii) a species specified in Annex II to the Habitats Directive;

(b) the importance of such sites for the coherence of the UK site network; and

(c) the threats of degradation or destruction to which the sites are exposed.

Section 9 Consultation as to inclusion of site omitted from the list

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 9A Special protection area: classification of sites

(1) The Scottish Ministers must classify as special protection areas such sites (including sites in the Scottish inshore region) as they consider necessary to ensure that the objective specified in paragraph (2) is attained.

(2) The objective referred to in paragraph (1) is that those sites across the United Kingdom’s territory which are most suitable in number and size for—

(a) the conservation of species listed in Annex 1 to the Wild Birds Directive which naturally occur in that territory, and

(b) the conservation of naturally occurring migratory species of birds not listed in Annex 1 which naturally occur in that territory,

are classified as special protection areas, in so far as they consist of sites in Scotland.

(3) The Scottish Ministers must make their decision as to the sites to be classified under paragraph (1) only on the basis of relevant scientific information and—

(a) in the case of a site to be classified for the purpose mentioned in paragraph (2)(a), on the basis of criteria set out in Article 4(1) of the Wild Birds Directive, and

(b) in the case of a site to be classified for the purpose mentioned in paragraph (2)(b), on the basis of criteria set out in Article 4(2) of that Directive.

(4) In this regulation—

(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) “Scottish inshore region” means the area of sea within the seaward limits of the territorial sea adjacent to Scotland.

(5) In applying the criteria referred to in paragraphs (3)(a) and (b) in relation to any species, references in Articles 4(1) and 4(2) of the Wild Birds Directive to classifying the most suitable territories “in the geographical sea and land area where this Directive applies” are to be construed as referring to the most suitable territories in the United Kingdom’s territory, having regard to the importance of such territories for ensuring the survival and reproduction of that species in their area of distribution.

Section 9B Special protection area: notification of proposal

(1) The Scottish Ministers must if they propose to classify a site as a special protection area give to the appropriate nature conservation body—

(a) notice of that proposal, and

(b) an accompanying statement of the reasons for that proposal.

(2) The appropriate nature conservation body must on being given notice of a proposal, provide a copy of the proposal and the accompanying statement—

(a) to such persons as the Scottish Ministers may direct, and

(b) where, in their opinion, it is appropriate to do so to—

(i) any other person (including owners or occupiers of land or premises), and

(ii) every competent authority which exercises functions in relation to the site, or in relation to an area adjacent to the site.

(3) The appropriate nature conservation body must when they provide a copy of a proposal and accompanying document to any such person or authority specify the period of not less than 12 weeks (the “consultation period”) during which representations may be made to them with respect to the proposal by that person or authority.

(4) The appropriate nature conservation body must as soon as reasonably practicable after expiry of the consultation period provide to the Scottish Ministers a report (the “consultation report”)—

(a) describing any representations made in that period, or

(b) stating that no representations have been made.

(5) The Scottish Ministers must consider the consultation report when determining whether to classify a site as a special protection area.

(6) The Scottish Ministers may—

(a) give guidance to the appropriate nature conservation body for the purpose of the exercise by them of functions under this regulation, and

(b) vary or revoke a direction under paragraph (2)(a).

(7) The appropriate nature conservation body must have regard to any guidance under paragraph (6)(a) in discharging a function referred to in that paragraph.

Section 9C Special protection area: hearing and representations in respect of a proposal

(1) The Scottish Ministers may give any person the opportunity of—

(a) making written representations to, or

(b) being heard by,

a person appointed by them for the purpose of deciding whether to classify a site as a special protection area.

(2) Any person being heard by the appointed person may—

(a) be represented by another person,

(b) call persons to give evidence,

(c) make written representations before or at the hearing,

(d) put questions to any person who gives evidence at the hearing, including any person who gives expert evidence.

(3) The Scottish Ministers must have regard to the report of an appointed person when deciding whether to so classify a site.

Section 9D Management objectives of the UK site network

(1) The Scottish Ministers must, in co-operation with any other authority having a corresponding responsibility, manage, and where necessary adapt, the UK site network, so far as it consists of European sites in Scotland, with a view to contributing to the achievement of the management objectives of the UK site network.

(2) The management objectives of the UK site network are—

(a) to maintain at or, where appropriate, restore to a favourable conservation status in their natural range (so far as it lies in the United Kingdom’s territory, and so far as is proportionate)—

(i) the natural habitat types listed in Annex I to the Habitats Directive; and

(ii) the species listed in Annex II to that Directive whose natural range includes any part of the United Kingdom’s territory; and

(b) to contribute, in their area of distribution, to ensuring the survival and reproduction, and securing compliance with the requirements of Article 2 of the Wild Birds Directive for the purposes of the duty in regulation 3(1), of—

(i) species of birds listed in Annex I to the Wild Birds Directive which naturally occur in the United Kingdom’s territory; and

(ii) regularly occurring migratory species of birds not listed in that Annex which naturally occur in the United Kingdom’s territory.

(3) In complying with the obligation in paragraph (1), the Scottish Ministers must have regard —

(a) in relation to any European site which is not of a kind mentioned in regulation 10(1)(d), to the considerations mentioned in paragraph (4); and

(b) in relation to European sites of a kind mentioned in regulation 10(1)(d), to the considerations mentioned in paragraph (5).

(4) The considerations referred to in paragraph (3)(a) are—

(a) the importance of the sites for the maintenance at, or restoration to, a favourable conservation status, throughout their natural range, of the natural habitat types and species mentioned in paragraph (2)(a);

(b) the importance of the sites for the coherence of the UK site network; and

(c) the threats of degradation or destruction (including deterioration and disturbance of protected features) to which the sites are exposed.

(5) The considerations referred to in paragraph (3)(b) are—

(a) the importance of the sites for ensuring the survival and reproduction of, and securing compliance with the requirements of Article 2 of the Wild Birds Directive for the purposes of the duty in regulation 3(1) in relation to, the species of birds mentioned in paragraph (2)(b), in their area of distribution;

(b) in the case of migratory species, the importance of their breeding, moulting and wintering areas and staging points along their migration routes;

(c) the importance of the sites for the coherence of UK site network; and

(d) the threats of degradation or destruction (including deterioration and disturbance of protected features) to which the sites are exposed.

(6) In paragraph (2)(a), “proportionate” means proportionate to the relative importance of—

(a) the part of the natural range lying in the United Kingdom’s territory; and

(b) the part of the natural range lying outside the United Kingdom’s territory,

for achieving a favourable conservation status.

Section 10 Meaning of “European site” in these Regulations

(1) In these Regulations a “European site” means–

(a) a special area of conservation,

(b) a site of Community importance which has been placed on the list referred to in the third sub–paragraph of Article 4(2) of the Habitats Directive before exit day ,

(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d) an area classified before exit day pursuant to Article 4(1) or (2) of Council Directive 1979/409/ EEC on the conservation of wild birds or Article 4(1) or (2) of the Wild Birds Directive or classified after exit day under the retained transposing regulations , or

(e) a site which before exit day has been proposed to the European Commission in accordance with Article 4(1) of the Habitats Directive until such time as—

(i) the site is designated as a special area of conservation under regulation 7 or under the equivalent provision in the other retained transposing regulations; or

(ii) the Scottish Ministers give notice of their intention not to designate the site, setting out the reasons for their decision, in accordance with regulation 112(3).

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 11 Duty to compile and maintain register of European sites

(1) The Secretary of State must make arrangements for the establishment and maintenance of a register of European sites in Great Britain.

(2) The register must specify –

(a) special areas of conservation, as soon as they are designated by him;

(b) sites of Community importance which before exit day were placed on the list referred to in the third sub–paragraph of Article 4(2) of the Habitats Directive, until they are designated as special areas of conservation;

(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d) areas classified by him pursuant to Article 4(1) or (2) of the Wild Birds Directive, as soon as they are so classified or, if they have been classified before the commencement of these Regulations, as soon as practicable after commencement ; and

(e) any site in Scotland which before exit day has been proposed to the European Commission in accordance with Article 4(1) of the Habitats Directive until such time as regulation 10(1)(e)(i) or (ii) applies.

(3) He may, if appropriate, amend , or make arrangements for the amendment of, the entry in the register relating to a European site.

(4) He shall remove , or make arrangements for the removal of the relevant entry–

(a) relating to a site which is no longer a European site; or

(b) if a site otherwise ceases to fall within any of the categories listed in paragraph (2) above.

(5) The register must be available for public inspection at all reasonable hours and free of charge.

(6) The arrangements mentioned in paragraph (1) may in particular authorise the appropriate nature conservation body to establish and maintain the register.

Section 12 Notification to appropriate nature conservation body

(1) The Secretary of State shall notify the appropriate nature conservation body as soon as may be after—

(a) a site becomes a European site;

(b) the specification of a European site is amended;

(c) a site ceases to fall within any of the categories listed in regulation 11(2).

(2) Except where arrangements are made authorising the appropriate conservation body to establish and maintain the register, the notification under paragraph (1) of a site becoming a European site must be accompanied by a copy of the register entry.

(3) Except where arrangements are made authorising the appropriate conservation body to establish and maintain the register, the notification under paragraph (1) of the amendment of the specification of a European site must be accompanied by a copy of the amended entry.

(4) Each nature conservation body shall keep copies of the register entries relating to European sites in their area available for public inspection at all reasonable hours and free of charge.

Section 13 Notice to landowners, relevant authorities, &c.

(1) As soon as practicable after a nature conservation body receive notification under regulation 12 they shall give notice to–

(a) every owner or occupier of land within the site,

(b) every local planning authority in whose area the site, or any part of it, is situated, and

(c) such other persons or bodies as the Secretary of State may direct.

(2) Notice of the inclusion of a site in the register, or of the amendment of an entry in the register, shall be accompanied by a copy of so much of the relevant register entry as relates to land owned or occupied by or, as the case may be, to land within the area of, the person or authority to whom the notice is given.

(3) The Secretary of State may give directions as to the form and content of notices to be given under this regulation.

Section 14 Local registration: England and Wales

An entry in the register relating to a European site in England and Wales is a local land charge.

Section 15 Local registers: Scotland

(1) A planning authority in Scotland shall keep available at their principal office for free public inspection a register of all the European sites of which they have been given notice under regulation 13(1)(b).

(2) A planning authority in Scotland may keep available at any other of their offices for free public inspection such part of the register referred to in paragraph (1) as appears to them to relate to that part of their area in which such office is situated.

(3) A planning authority shall supply to any person, on payment of such reasonable fee as they may determine, a copy, certified by the proper officer of the authority to be a true copy, of any entry in the register kept by them under paragraph (1).

Section 16 Management agreements

(1) The appropriate nature conservation body may enter into an agreement (a “management agreement”) with every owner, lessee and occupier of land forming part of a European site, or land adjacent to such a site, for the management, conservation, restoration or protection of the site, or any part of it.

(2) A management agreement may impose such restrictions as may be expedient for the purposes of the agreement on the exercise of rights over the land by the persons who can be bound by the agreement.

(3) A management agreement–

(a) may provide for the management of the land in such manner, the carrying out thereon of such work and the doing thereon of such other things as may be expedient for the purposes of the agreement;

(b) may provide for any of the matters mentioned in sub–paragraph (a) being carried out, or for the costs thereof being defrayed, either by the said owner or other persons or by the appropriate nature conservation body, or partly in one way and partly in another;

(c) may contain such other provisions as to the making of payments by the appropriate nature conservation body, and in particular for the payment by them of compensation for the effect of the restrictions mentioned in paragraph (2), as may be specified in the agreement.

(4) Where land in England and Wales is subject to a management agreement, the appropriate nature conservation body shall, as respects the enforcement of the agreement against persons other than the original contracting party, have the like rights as if–

(a) they had at all material times been the absolute owners in possession of ascertained land adjacent to the land subject to the agreement and capable of being benefited by the agreement, and

(b) the management agreement had been expressed to be for the benefit of that adjacent land;

and section 84 of the Law of Property Act 1925 (which enables the Upper Tribunal to discharge or modify restrictive covenants) shall not apply to the agreement.

(5) A management agreement affecting land in Scotland may be registered either–

(a) in a case where the land affected by the agreement is registered in that register, in the Land Register of Scotland, or

(b) in any other case, in the General Register of Sasines;

and, on being so recorded, it shall be enforceable at the instance of the appropriate nature conservation body against any person having an interest in the land and against any person deriving title from him:

Provided that a management agreement shall not be so enforceable against a third party who has bona fide onerously acquired right (whether completed by infeftment or not) to his interest in the land prior to the agreement being recorded as aforesaid, or against any person deriving title from such third party.

Section 17 Continuation in force of existing agreement, &c.

(1) Any agreement previously entered into under–

(a) section 16 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 (nature reserves),

(b) section 15 of the Countryside Act 1968 (areas of special scientific interest), or

(c) section 49A of the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967 (management agreements),

in relation to land which on or after the commencement of these Regulations becomes land within a European site, or adjacent to such a site, shall have effect as if entered into under regulation 16 above.

Regulation 32(1)(b) (power of compulsory acquisition in case of breach of agreement) shall apply accordingly.

(2) Any other thing done or deemed to have been done under any provision of Part III or VI of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, or under section 49A of the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967, in respect of any land prior to that land becoming land within a European site, or adjacent to such a site, shall continue to have effect as if done under the corresponding provision of these Regulations.

For the purposes of this paragraph Part III of the 1949 Act shall be deemed to include section 15 of the Countryside Act 1968 and anything done or deemed to be done under that section and to which this paragraph applies shall have effect as if done or deemed to be done under section 16 of the 1949 Act.

(3) Any reference in an outlying enactment to a nature reserve within the meaning of section 15 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 shall be construed as including a European site.

For this purpose an “outlying enactment” means an enactment not contained in, or in an instrument made under, the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 or the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 .

Section 18 Notification of potentially damaging operations

(1) Any person who intentionally or recklessly damages any natural feature by reason of which land is a European site is, subject to paragraph (2), guilty of an offence.

(2) Any person who does anything which would, but for this paragraph, amount to an offence under paragraph (1) is not guilty of the offence if it is shown that–

(a) the act was the incidental result of a lawful operation,

(b) the person who carried out the lawful operation–

(i) took reasonable precautions for the purpose of avoiding carrying out the act, or

(ii) did not foresee, and could not reasonably have foreseen, that the act would be an incidental result of the carrying out of the lawful operation, and

(c) that person took such steps as were reasonably practicable in all the circumstances to minimise the damage caused.

(3) Any person guilty of an offence under paragraph (1) is liable–

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale,

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine.

Section 19 Application of Chapters 2, 3 and 4 of Part 2 of the 2004 Act

(1) Subject to paragraph (2) and regulations 20 to 22, the following provisions of Part 2 of the 2004 Act apply, for the purposes of these Regulations, in relation to European sites–

(a) Chapter 2 (nature conservation orders) and schedule 2 (nature conservation orders and related orders: procedure);

(b) Chapter 3 (land management orders) and schedule 3 (land management orders and related orders: procedure); and

(c) in Chapter 4–

(i) section 39 (acquisition of land by SNH);

(ii) section 40 (restoration orders);

(iii) section 41 (signs, etc.);

(iv) section 43 (powers of investigation etc.: police);

(v) section 44 (powers of entry: authorised persons) and schedule 4 (powers of entry of authorised persons: further provision); and

(vi) section 46 (offences: penalties and time limits);

(2) For the purposes of these Regulations, any reference in the provisions referred to in paragraph (1)(a) to (c)–

(a) to a “ natural feature ” shall be construed as if it was a reference to a “natural feature” within the meaning of regulation 2 of these Regulations;

(b) to a “ site of special scientific interest ” shall be construed as if it was a reference to a European site;

(c) to the 2004 Act or any Part thereof, shall be construed as if it was a reference to these Regulations;

(d) to a term defined in the 2004 Act shall, unless the context otherwise requires, bear the same meaning as in that Act.

Section 20 Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the 2004 Act

The provisions of Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the 2004 Act apply for the purposes of these Regulations as if–

(a) in section 23 (nature conservation orders)—

(i) in subsection (2)(a) for “special interest,”, there were substituted “significance in relation to the requirements of the Directives (within the meaning of regulation 2(1) of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 ( S.I. 1994/2716 )),”

(ii) in subsection (2)(b), after “an international obligation” there were inserted “and the requirements of the Directives (within the meaning of regulation 2(1) of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 ( S.I. 1994/2716 ))”

(iii) in subsection (3)(b) for the words from “special interest” to “features,” there was substituted “ significance in relation to the requirements of the Directives (within the meaning of regulation 2(1) of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 ( S.I. 1994/2716 ))" and

(b) in section 27 (offences in relation to nature conservation orders) the reference to “£40,000” was a reference to “level 5 on the standard scale”.

Section 21 Chapter 3 of Part 2 of the 2004 Act

The provisions of Chapter 3 of Part 2 of the 2004 Act apply for the purposes of these Regulations as if—

(a) any reference to a “management agreement” included a reference to a management agreement entered into under regulation 16 of these Regulations;

(b) in section 29(2)(b) (proposals for land management orders) for “specified in an SSSI notification” there was substituted “ by reason of which land is a European site ” ;

(c) in section 36(3)(a) (offences in relation to land management orders) the reference to “£40,000” was a reference to “level 5 on the standard scale”.

Section 22 Chapter 4 of Part 2 of the 2004 Act

The provisions of Chapter 4 of Part 2 of the 2004 Act referred to in regulation 19(1)(c) apply for the purposes of these Regulations as if–

(a) any reference to “protected natural feature” was a reference to a natural feature–

(i) by reason of which the land is a European site; or

(ii) by reason of which a nature conservation order has effect;

(b) in section 40 (restoration orders)–

(i) in subsection (1)(b), the reference to “19(3)” was omitted; and

(ii) in subsection (4)(a), the reference to “£40,000” was a reference to “level 5 on the standard scale”;

(c) in section 41(1) (signs etc.) for the words from “any land” to the end there was substituted “ a European site ” ;

(d) in section 43 (powers of investigation etc.: police) the references to “this Part” in each place where they occur were references to regulations 18 to 22 of these Regulations; and

(e) in section 44 (powers of entry: authorised persons)–

(i) in subsection (i)–

(a) paragraphs (a) and (j) were omitted;

(b) in paragraphs (c) and (d), the reference to “management agreement” included a reference to a management agreement entered into under regulation 16 of these Regulations;

(c) in paragraph (f), for the words from “section 19(1)” to “20” there were substituted references to regulations 18 to 22 of these Regulations;

(d) in paragraph (l), the reference to “section 48(10)” was a reference to regulation 108 of these Regulations; and

(ii) in subsection (2)(c), the reference to “section 48(10)” was a reference to regulation 108 of these Regulations.

Section 23 Restriction on carrying out operations specified in order

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Section 24 Supplementary provisions as to consents

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Section 25 Compensation for effect of notice

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Section 26 Restoration where order contravened

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Section 27 Continuation in force of existing orders, &c.

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Section 27A Interpretation

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Section 28 Power to make byelaws

(1) The appropriate nature conservation body may make byelaws for the protection of a European site under section 20 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 (byelaws for protection of nature reserves).

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), byelaws under that section as it applies by virtue of this regulation may make provision of any of the following kinds.

(3) They may–

(a) provide for prohibiting or restricting the entry into, or movement within, the site of persons, vehicles, boats and animals;

(b) prohibit or restrict the killing, taking, molesting or disturbance of living creatures of any description in the site, the taking, destruction or disturbance of eggs of any such creature, the taking of, or interference with, vegetation of any description in the site, or the doing of anything in the site which will interfere with the soil or damage any object in the site;

(c) contain provisions prohibiting the depositing of rubbish and the leaving of litter in the site;

(d) prohibit or restrict, or provide for prohibiting or restricting, the lighting of fires in the site or the doing of anything likely to cause a fire in the site.

(4) They may prohibit or restrict any activity referred to in paragraph (3) within such area surrounding or adjoining the site as appears to the appropriate nature conservation body requisite for the protection of the site.

(5) They may provide for the issue, on such terms and subject to such conditions as may be specified in the byelaws, of permits authorising–

(a) entry into the site or any such surrounding or adjoining area as is mentioned in paragraph (4), or

(b) the doing of anything within the site, or any such surrounding or adjoining area,

where such entry, or doing that thing, would otherwise be unlawful under the byelaws.

(6) They may be made so as to relate either to the whole or to any part of the site, or of any such surrounding or adjoining area as is mentioned in paragraph (4), and may make different provision for different parts thereof.

(7) This regulation does not apply in relation to a European marine site (but see regulation 36).

Section 29 Byelaws: limitation on effect

Byelaws under section 20 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 as it applies by virtue of regulation 28 shall not interfere with–

(a) the exercise by any person of a right vested in him as owner, lessee or occupier of land in the European site, or in any such surrounding or adjoining area as is mentioned in paragraph (4) of that regulation;

(b) the exercise of any public right of way;

(c) the exercise of any functions of statutory undertakers;

(d) the exercise of any functions of an internal drainage board, a district salmon fishery board or the Commissioners appointed under the Tweed Fisheries Act 1969 ; or

(e) the provision of an electronic communications code network or the exercise of any right conferred by or in accordance with the electronic communications code on the provider of any such network.

Section 30 Compensation for effect of byelaws

Where the exercise of any right vested in a person, whether by reason of his being entitled to any interest in land or by virtue of a licence or agreement, is prevented or hindered by the coming into operation of byelaws under section 20 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 as it applies by virtue of regulation 28, he shall be entitled to receive from the appropriate nature conservation body compensation in respect thereof.

Section 31 Continuation in force of existing byelaws

Any byelaws in force under section 20 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 in relation to land which on or after the commencement of these Regulations becomes land within a European site, or adjacent to such a site, shall have effect as if made under the said section 20 as it applies by virtue of regulation 28 and shall be construed as if originally so made.

Section 32 Powers of compulsory acquisition

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Section 33 Marking of site and advice by nature conservation bodies

(1) The appropriate nature conservation body may deposit or remove markers indicating the existence and extent of a European marine site.

This power is exercisable subject to the obtaining of any necessary marine licence under Part 4 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 .

(2) As soon as possible after a site becomes a European marine site, the appropriate nature conservation body shall advise other relevant authorities as to–

(a) the conservation objectives for that site, and

(b) any operations which may cause deterioration of natural habitats or the habitats of species, or disturbance of species, for which the site has been designated.

Section 34 Management scheme for European marine site

(1) The relevant authorities, or any of them, may establish for a European marine site a management scheme under which their functions (including any power to make byelaws) shall be exercised so as to secure in relation to that site compliance with the requirements of the Habitats Directive.

(2) Only one management scheme may be made for each European marine site.

(3) A management scheme may be amended from time to time.

(4) As soon as a management scheme has been established, or is amended, a copy of it shall be sent by the relevant authority or authorities concerned to the appropriate nature conservation body.

Section 35 Direction to establish or amend management scheme

(1) The relevant Minister may give directions to the relevant authorities, or any of them, as to the establishment of a management scheme for a European marine site.

(2) Directions may, in particular–

(a) require conservation measures specified in the direction to be included in the scheme;

(b) appoint one of the relevant authorities to co–ordinate the establishment of the scheme;

(c) set time limits within which any steps are to be taken;

(d) provide that the approval of the Minister is required before the scheme is established; and

(e) require any relevant authority to supply to the Minister such information concerning the establishment of the scheme as may be specified in the direction.

(3) The relevant Minister may give directions to the relevant authorities, or any of them, as to the amendment of a management scheme for a European marine site, either generally or in any particular respect.

(4) Any direction under this regulation shall be in writing and may be varied or revoked by a further direction.

(5) In this regulation “the relevant Minister” means, in relation to a site in England, the Secretary of State and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food acting jointly and in any other case the Secretary of State.

Section 36 Byelaws for protection of European marine site

(1) The appropriate nature conservation body may make byelaws for the protection of a European marine site under section 37 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (byelaws for protection of marine nature reserves).

(2) The provisions of subsections (2) to (11) of that section apply in relation to byelaws made by virtue of this regulation with the substitution for the references to marine nature reserves of references to European marine sites.

(3) Nothing in byelaws made by virtue of this regulation shall interfere with the exercise of any functions of a relevant authority, any functions conferred by or under an enactment (whenever passed) or any right of any person (whenever vested).

Section 37 Nature conservation policy in planning contexts

(1) For the purposes of section 15(1)(a) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, the reference to policies as to the development and use of land shall be taken to include policies encouraging the management of features of the landscape which are of major importance for wild flora and fauna.

Such features are those which, by virtue of their linear and continuous structure (such as rivers with their banks or the traditional systems of marking field boundaries) or their function as stepping stones (such as ponds or small woods), are essential for the migration, dispersal and genetic exchange of wild species.

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 37A Surveillance of conservation status of habitats and species

(1) The Scottish Ministers shall make arrangements in accordance with paragraphs (5) to (7) for the carrying out of surveillance of the conservation status of natural habitats of national interest and species of national interest, and in particular priority natural habitat types and priority species.

(2) Where, in the case of any species of wild fauna and flora listed in Annex V to the Habitats Directive, the Scottish Ministers consider that the results of surveillance under paragraph (1) makes it necessary to do so, they shall make arrangements for ensuring that the taking in the wild of specimens of such species, and their exploitation, is compatible with their being maintained at favourable conservation status.

(3) The arrangements to be made under paragraph (2) shall include arrangements for the carrying out of surveillance of the conservation status of the species in question, for the purpose of establishing whether the taking in the wild of specimens of such species, and their exploitation, is compatible with their being maintained at favourable conservation status.

(4) The Scottish Ministers shall, from time to time, review the arrangements they have made under paragraphs (1), (2) or (3) and if they think it appropriate, revise those arrangements.

(5) The arrangements made by the Scottish Ministers under paragraph (1) shall ensure that Scottish Natural Heritage implements a strategy for the surveillance of the conservation status of relevant habitats and species in Scotland.

(6) In implementing that strategy Scottish Natural Heritage shall–

(a) assess how and to what extent surveillance of the conservation status of relevant habitats and species needs to be carried out, having regard to–

(i) whether a habitat or species is a priority natural habitat type or a priority species; and

(ii) the conservation status of the habitat or species; and

(b) ensure that surveillance is carried out on an ongoing basis.

(7) Surveillance for the purposes of this regulation may be carried out by–

(a) Scottish Natural Heritage; or

(b) any other body or person pursuant to an agreement with Scottish Natural Heritage, provided that Scottish Natural Heritage is satisfied as to the standards and methods of surveillance used by that body or person.

(8) In paragraphs (5) and (6) a relevant habitat or species means a habitat or species of a type referred to in paragraph (1).

(9) In this regulation—

“natural habitats of national interest” means natural habitat types listed in Annex I to the Habitats Directive;

“species of national interest” means species of wild fauna and flora listed in Annex II , IV or V to the Habitats Directive.

Section 37B Protection of certain animals and plants from exploitation

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Section 37C Introduction of new species from ships

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Section 37D Licensing the introduction of new species

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