Non-native and invasive plants environmental legislation
This page provides links to the full text of key pieces of environmental legislation relating to invasive weeds. The websites hosting the legislation may list amendments separately.
If you are setting up an environmental management system (EMS) for your business, you can use this list to start compiling your legal register. Your legal adviser or environmental consultant will be able to tell you if other environmental legislation applies to your specific business.
Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and environmental reports
Invasive plants Northern Ireland legislation
Noxious Weeds (Northern Ireland) Order SI 1977/52 Defines ragwort, thistle, dock and wild oat as noxious weeds and places a legal responsibility on landowners to prevent the spread of these weeds.
Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order SI 1985/171 (As amended) It is an offence under Article 15 if anyone plants or otherwise causes to grow in the wild any species of plant listed on Schedule 9 Part II.
Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 Includes new provisions and amends the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 and the Environment (Northern) Order 2002 to give protection to a greater range of plants, animals and birds, and to increase protection to Areas of Special Scientific Interest. Gives enforcement authorities new powers and sanctions against perpetrators of wildlife crime.
Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order (Northern Ireland) 2019 SR159
Imposes strict restrictions on a list of species known as ‘species of Union concern’. Species whose potential adverse impacts across the EU are such that concerted action across Europe is required. Restrictions mean that (subject to certain defences or exemptions) species of Union concern cannot be imported into the EU, kept, bred, transported, placed on the market, used or exchanged, allowed to reproduce, grown or cultivated, or released into the environment.
Non-native and invasive plants Scotland legislation
Weeds Act 1959 Provides a power for Ministers to serve orders requiring the control of injurious weeds.
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) This is the principal legislation concerning non-native species in Scotland. Section 14 prohibits the planting or otherwise causing to grow of a plant in the wild outside its native range, unless exempt by Order. See more details.
Secondary legislation prohibits the keeping and sale of certain invasive non-native plants:
The Non-Native Species Code of Practice provides explanation on offences and definitions and provides guidance on how to act responsibly within the law.
Environmental Protection Act 1990 Defines the legal framework for duty of care for waste, contaminated land and statutory nuisance.
You may also need to know about and comply with legislation on:
- Pesticides and Biocides
- Preventing water pollution
- Duty of Care – your waste responsibilities
- NetRegs – Environmental legislation