Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

[F1 2 (1) “Species” means any kind of animal or plant. E+W

(2) A species is “invasive” if, uncontrolled, it would be likely to have a significant adverse impact on—

(a) biodiversity,

(b) other environmental interests, or

(c) social or economic interests.

(3) A species is “non-native” if—

(a) it is listed in Part 1 or 2 of Schedule 9, or

(b) in the case of a species of animal, it is a species—

(i) whose natural range does not include any part of Great Britain, and

(ii) which has been introduced into Great Britain or is present in Great Britain because of other human activity.

(4) References to a species being “present” on premises include its being present at any stage in its life-cycle (for example, as eggs or seeds).

(5) A species of animal is “no longer normally present in Great Britain” if—

(a) it is a species listed in Part 1B of Schedule 9, or

(b) it is a species—

(i) whose natural range includes all or any part of Great Britain, and

(ii) which has ceased to be ordinarily resident in, or a regular visitor to, Great Britain in a wild state.

[F2 [F3 (6) The “list of species of special concern” means the list of species in the Annex to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1141 adopting a list of invasive alien species of Union concern pursuant to Regulation (EU) No. 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council, as amended from time to time.]]]

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 9A inserted (E.W.) (12.4.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), ss. 23(3), 57(4); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 3(a); S.I. 2015/990, reg. 2

F2 Sch. 9A para. 2(6) inserted (1.12.2019) by The Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/527), art. 1(1), Sch. 4 para. 1(4)(b) (with art. 1(2)(4)) (as amended by S.I. 2019/1213, regs. 1, 2(2))

F3 Sch. 9A para. 2(6) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Animal Health, Invasive Alien Species, Plant Breeders’ Rights and Seeds (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1220), regs. 1(2)(c), 6(3)(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)