Enforcement
We are responsible for enforcing laws that protect wildlife and the natural environment.
Enforcement is used as a last resort but it is sometimes necessary to ensure the natural environment is protected. We aim to use enforcement in a consistent and proportionate manner that is targeted at illegal activities that have the greatest impact on wildlife, geology and landscapes.
What are Natural England's enforcement responsibilities?
- Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)
- The Environmental Damage Regulations
- Heather and grass burning
- Agricultural work that affects uncultivated land or semi-natural areas
- Breaches of wildlife licences and notices that we issue
- Pesticide poisoning to animals
- Complaints relating to weeds
Position and guidance
Our Compliance and Enforcement Position: (96kb)
explains how we help people comply with the laws we are responsible for enforcing. It also outlines the general principles we follow when we need to take enforcement action.
The following Enforcement Guidance gives further details on the processes involved in taking enforcement action:
- Enforcement Guidance: (386kb)
- Enforcement Guidance Annex 1: (240kb) (offence explanation)
- Enforcement Guidance Annexes 2-4: (449kb) (sanction explanation)
- Enforcement Guidance Annex 5: (18kb) (summary table)
- Enforcement Guidance Annex 6: (83kb) (examples)
- Enforcement Undertaking Offer Form: (78kb)
These documents were published in December 2011 following a public consultation. A summary of responses: (162kb) and the full responses received as a result of the consultation.
Monitoring
We publish annual reports on our enforcement activity:
Details of our prosecutions and use of civil sanctions listed in our Publication Scheme.
Priorities
We contribute to the Wildlife Law Enforcement Working Group
- an expert panel which advises the Government on the UK's wildlife crime priorities.
Partnership working
We work with many other enforcement agencies to tackle wildlife crime. We are members of the steering group and various working groups of the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime. We have a Memorandum of Understanding: (118kb) with the Countryside Council for Wales, the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Crown Prosecution Service. We share intelligence with the National Wildlife Crime Unit.
Prosecutions and Civil Sanctions brought by Natural England
Public register - civil sanctions and prosecutions: (115kb)
