OpenLegislation

Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 in Northern Ireland

2006 c. 16 · Enacted 30 March 2006 · Extends to United Kingdom

Up to date with all changes known to legislation.gov.uk, revised to 17 June 2026.

An Act to make provision about bodies concerned with the natural environment and rural communities; to make provision in connection with wildlife, sites of special scientific interest, National Parks and the Broads; to amend the law relating to rights of way; to make provision as to the Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council; to provide for flexible administrative arrangements in connection with functions relating to the environment and rural affairs and certain other functions; and for connected purposes.

[30th March 2006]

Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Contents

  1. Chapter 1: Natural England
  2. Constitution and general purpose
  3. 1Constitution
  4. 2General purpose
  5. Advisory functions
  6. 3Review and research
  7. 4Advice
  8. 4ASupplementary provision
  9. General implementation powers
  10. 5Carrying out proposals etc.
  11. 6Financial and other assistance
  12. 7Management agreements
  13. 8Experimental schemes
  14. Other functions
  15. 9Information services etc.
  16. 10Consultancy services and training
  17. 12Power to bring criminal proceedings
  18. 13Incidental powers
  19. Powers of Secretary of State
  20. 14Grants
  21. 15Guidance
  22. 16Directions
  23. Chapter 2: Commission for Rural Communities
  24. The Commission and its general purpose
  25. 17Commission for Rural Communities Repealed
  26. 18Commission's general purpose Repealed
  27. Functions
  28. 19Representation, advice and monitoring Repealed
  29. 20Research Repealed
  30. 21Information services etc. Repealed
  31. 22Power to charge for services Repealed
  32. 23Incidental powers Repealed
  33. Powers of Secretary of State
  34. 24Grants Repealed
  35. 25Directions Repealed
  36. Chapter 3: Supplementary
  37. Transfer schemes etc.
  38. 26Transfers on dissolution of English Nature and Countryside Agency
  39. 27Continuing powers to make transfer schemes
  40. 28Transfer schemes: supplementary
  41. 29Interim arrangements
  42. Interpretation
  43. 30Interpretation
  44. Part 2: Nature conservation in the UK
  45. Joint Nature Conservation Committee etc.
  46. 31Joint Nature Conservation Committee
  47. 32UK conservation bodies
  48. 33Purpose of functions under this Part
  49. Coordinated functions
  50. 34Functions of national or international significance
  51. 35Advice from joint committee to UK conservation body
  52. 36GB functions with respect to wildlife
  53. 37UK conservation bodies: incidental powers for UK purposes, etc.
  54. Directions
  55. 38Directions
  56. Interpretation
  57. 39Interpretation
  58. Biodiversity
  59. 40ABiodiversity reports
  60. 41Biodiversity lists and action (England)
  61. Pesticides harmful to wildlife
  62. 44Enforcement powers in connection with pesticides
  63. 45Codes of practice
  64. 46Interpretation
  65. Protection of birds
  66. 47Protection for nests of certain birds which re-use their nests
  67. 48Birds released into the wild as part of re-population programme
  68. 49Registration etc. of certain captive birds
  69. Invasive non-native species
  70. 50Sale etc. of invasive non-native species
  71. 51Codes of practice in connection with invasive non-native species
  72. Enforcement etc. of provisions relating to wildlife
  73. 52Enforcement powers in connection with wildlife
  74. 53Wildlife offences: time limits for proceedings
  75. 54Application of Part 1 of 1981 Act to Crown
  76. 55Offences in connection with SSSIs
  77. 56Denotification
  78. 57Effect of failure to serve certain notices in connection with SSSIs
  79. 58Notices and signs relating to SSSIs
  80. 59Criteria for designating National Parks
  81. 60Procedure for orders designating National Parks
  82. 61Members of National Park authorities
  83. 62Expenditure by National Parks authorities
  84. 63Notification of agricultural operations on moor and heath in National Parks
  85. 64Functions of Broads Authority and others in relation to the Broads
  86. 65Emergency financial assistance
  87. Rights of way and mechanically propelled vehicles
  88. 66Restriction on creation of new public rights of way
  89. 67Ending of certain existing unrecorded public rights of way
  90. 68Presumed dedication of restricted byways and use by pedal cycles etc.
  91. 69Presumed dedication and applications under section 53(5) of the 1981 Act
  92. 70Supplementary
  93. 71Interpretation
  94. Traffic regulation in National Parks
  95. 72Traffic regulation on byways etc. in National Parks
  96. 73Inland Waterways Advisory Council Repealed
  97. 74Constitution of Council Repealed
  98. 75Term of office, procedure etc. Repealed
  99. 76Functions of Council: England and Wales Repealed
  100. 77Functions of Council: Scotland Repealed
  101. Part 8: Flexible administrative arrangements
  102. Powers to enter into agreements
  103. 81Reserved functions
  104. Supplementary
  105. 83Particular powers
  106. 84Agreements with local authorities
  107. 85Supplementary provisions with respect to agreements
  108. Chapter 2: Powers to reform agricultural etc. bodies
  109. Power to create boards
  110. 87Power to establish boards
  111. 88Permissible purposes of boards
  112. 89Permissible functions of boards
  113. 89AIdentification and traceability of animals
  114. 90Ancillary provisions
  115. Power to dissolve existing levy bodies and boards
  116. 91Power to dissolve existing levy bodies
  117. 92Power to dissolve board
  118. 93Dissolution: supplementary
  119. Powers of appropriate authority
  120. 94Grants
  121. 95Directions
  122. Supplementary
  123. 96“The appropriate authority”
  124. 97Orders: procedure etc.
  125. Chapter 3: Financial assistance
  126. 98Financial assistance
  127. Part 9: Miscellaneous
  128. 101Abolition of certain agricultural etc. committees
  129. Part 10: Final provisions
  130. 105Minor and consequential amendments etc.
  131. 107Commencement
  132. 108Extent
  133. 109Short title
  134. Status
  135. 1Paragraph 1
  136. 2Paragraph 2
  137. Membership
  138. 3Paragraph 3
  139. 4Paragraph 4
  140. Term of office
  141. 5Paragraph 5
  142. 6Paragraph 6
  143. 7Paragraph 7
  144. 8Paragraph 8
  145. 9Paragraph 9
  146. Remuneration and pensions etc.
  147. 10Paragraph 10
  148. 11Paragraph 11
  149. 12Paragraph 12
  150. Staff
  151. 13Paragraph 13
  152. 14Paragraph 14
  153. 15Paragraph 15
  154. 16Paragraph 16
  155. Procedure
  156. 17Paragraph 17
  157. 18Paragraph 18
  158. Discharge of functions
  159. 19Paragraph 19
  160. Membership of committees and sub-committees
  161. 20Paragraph 20
  162. Application of seal and proof of documents
  163. 21Paragraph 21
  164. Nature reserves
  165. 22Paragraph 22
  166. Reports, accounts etc.
  167. 23Paragraph 23
  168. 24Paragraph 24
  169. 25Paragraph 25
  170. 26Paragraph 26
  171. Status Repealed
  172. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  173. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  174. Membership Repealed
  175. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  176. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  177. Term of office Repealed
  178. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  179. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  180. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  181. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  182. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  183. Remuneration and pensions etc. Repealed
  184. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  185. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  186. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  187. Staff Repealed
  188. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  189. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  190. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  191. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  192. Procedure Repealed
  193. 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
  194. 18Paragraph 18 Repealed
  195. Discharge of functions Repealed
  196. 19Paragraph 19 Repealed
  197. Membership of committees and sub-committees Repealed
  198. 20Paragraph 20 Repealed
  199. Application of seal and proof of documents Repealed
  200. 21Paragraph 21 Repealed
  201. Reports, accounts etc. Repealed
  202. 22Paragraph 22 Repealed
  203. 23Paragraph 23 Repealed
  204. 24Paragraph 24 Repealed
  205. 25Paragraph 25 Repealed
  206. Creation and apportionment of property, rights and liabilities etc.
  207. 1Paragraph 1
  208. 2Paragraph 2
  209. 3Paragraph 3
  210. Employment contracts
  211. 4Paragraph 4
  212. 5Paragraph 5
  213. 6Paragraph 6
  214. Civil servants treated as employed under a contract of employment etc.
  215. 7Paragraph 7
  216. Compensation
  217. 8Paragraph 8
  218. Continuity
  219. 9Paragraph 9
  220. 10Paragraph 10
  221. 11Paragraph 11
  222. 12Paragraph 12
  223. Incidental provision
  224. 13Paragraph 13
  225. Schedule 4: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
  226. Membership
  227. 1Paragraph 1
  228. 2Paragraph 2
  229. 3Paragraph 3
  230. Term of office of members appointed by Secretary of State
  231. 4Paragraph 4
  232. 5Paragraph 5
  233. 6Paragraph 6
  234. Remuneration and allowances etc.
  235. 7Paragraph 7
  236. 8Paragraph 8
  237. 9Paragraph 9
  238. Staff: general
  239. 10Paragraph 10
  240. 11Paragraph 11
  241. 12Paragraph 12
  242. Formation of company
  243. 13Paragraph 13
  244. Funding
  245. 14Paragraph 14
  246. 15Paragraph 15
  247. Procedure
  248. 16Paragraph 16
  249. Discharge of functions
  250. 17Paragraph 17
  251. Annual reports
  252. 18Paragraph 18
  253. Interpretation
  254. 19Paragraph 19
  255. Part 1: Amendments of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
  256. 1Paragraph 1
  257. 2Paragraph 2
  258. 3Paragraph 3
  259. 4Paragraph 4
  260. 5Paragraph 5
  261. 6Paragraph 6
  262. Part 2: Powers of wildlife inspectors extended to certain other Acts
  263. Introduction
  264. 7Paragraph 7
  265. Destructive Imported Animals Act 1932 (c. 12)
  266. 8Paragraph 8
  267. Conservation of Seals Act 1970 (c. 30)
  268. Deer Act 1991 (c. 54)
  269. 10Paragraph 10
  270. Protection of Badgers Act 1992 (c. 51)
  271. 11Paragraph 11
  272. Part 3: Codes of practice
  273. 12Paragraph 12
  274. Part 4: Constable's search warrant power extended to certain other Acts
  275. 13Paragraph 13
  276. Destructive Imported Animals Act 1932 (c. 12)
  277. 1Paragraph 1
  278. Conservation of Seals Act 1970 (c. 30)
  279. 2Paragraph 2
  280. Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (c. 69)
  281. 3Paragraph 3
  282. 4Paragraph 4
  283. Deer Act 1991 (c. 54)
  284. 5Paragraph 5
  285. Protection of Badgers Act 1992 (c. 51)
  286. 6Paragraph 6
  287. 1Paragraph 1
  288. 1AParagraph 1A
  289. 2Paragraph 2
  290. 3Paragraph 3
  291. 4Paragraph 4
  292. 5Paragraph 5
  293. 6Paragraph 6
  294. 7Paragraph 7
  295. 8Paragraph 8
  296. 9Paragraph 9
  297. 10Paragraph 10
  298. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  299. 12Paragraph 12
  300. 14Paragraph 14
  301. 15Paragraph 15
  302. 16Paragraph 16
  303. 16AParagraph 16A
  304. 17Paragraph 17
  305. 18Paragraph 18
  306. 19Paragraph 19
  307. 20Paragraph 20
  308. 21Paragraph 21
  309. 22Paragraph 22
  310. Schedule 8: Agricultural etc. boards
  311. Status
  312. 1Paragraph 1
  313. 2Paragraph 2
  314. Membership
  315. 3Paragraph 3
  316. 4Paragraph 4
  317. 5Paragraph 5
  318. Term of office
  319. 6Paragraph 6
  320. Remuneration and pensions
  321. 7Paragraph 7
  322. Staff
  323. 8Paragraph 8
  324. Reports, accounts etc.
  325. 9Paragraph 9
  326. 10Paragraph 10
  327. 11Paragraph 11
  328. Schedule 9: Functions which may be assigned to boards
  329. 1Paragraph 1
  330. 2Paragraph 2
  331. 3Paragraph 3
  332. 4Paragraph 4
  333. 5Paragraph 5
  334. 6Paragraph 6
  335. 7Paragraph 7
  336. 8Paragraph 8
  337. 9Paragraph 9
  338. 10Paragraph 10
  339. 11Paragraph 11
  340. 12Paragraph 12
  341. 13Paragraph 13
  342. 14Paragraph 14
  343. 15Paragraph 15
  344. 16Paragraph 16
  345. 17Paragraph 17
  346. 18Paragraph 18
  347. 19Paragraph 19
  348. Schedule 10: Ancillary provisions relating to boards
  349. Acting through subsidiaries
  350. 1Paragraph 1
  351. Registers, returns and other information
  352. 2Paragraph 2
  353. Investigative powers
  354. 3Paragraph 3
  355. Reserve funds etc.
  356. 4Paragraph 4
  357. Levies
  358. 5Paragraph 5
  359. Power to charge for services
  360. 6Paragraph 6
  361. Incidental powers
  362. 7Paragraph 7
  363. Approval of appropriate authority, consultation etc.
  364. 8Paragraph 8
  365. Offences
  366. 9Paragraph 9
  367. Schedule 11: Minor and consequential amendments
  368. Part 1: General
  369. Destructive Imported Animals Act 1932 (c. 12)
  370. 1Paragraph 1
  371. Hill Farming Act 1946 (c. 73)
  372. 2Paragraph 2
  373. 3Paragraph 3
  374. Industrial Organisation and Development Act 1947 (c. 40)
  375. 4Paragraph 4
  376. 5Paragraph 5
  377. National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 (c. 97)
  378. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  379. 10Paragraph 10
  380. 11Paragraph 11
  381. 12Paragraph 12
  382. 13Paragraph 13
  383. 15Paragraph 15
  384. 16Paragraph 16
  385. 17Paragraph 17
  386. 18Paragraph 18
  387. 19Paragraph 19
  388. 20Paragraph 20
  389. 21Paragraph 21
  390. 22Paragraph 22
  391. 23Paragraph 23
  392. 24Paragraph 24
  393. 25Paragraph 25
  394. Manoeuvres Act 1958 (7 & 8 Eliz. 2 c. 7)
  395. 26Paragraph 26
  396. Agricultural Marketing Act 1958 (c. 47)
  397. 27Paragraph 27
  398. 28Paragraph 28
  399. 29Paragraph 29
  400. 30Paragraph 30
  401. 31Paragraph 31
  402. 32Paragraph 32
  403. 33Paragraph 33
  404. Public Records Act 1958 (c. 51)
  405. 34Paragraph 34
  406. Cereals Marketing Act 1965 (c. 14)
  407. 35Paragraph 35
  408. 36Paragraph 36
  409. Superannuation Act 1965 (c. 74)
  410. 37Paragraph 37
  411. Sea Fisheries Regulation Act 1966 (c. 38)
  412. 38Paragraph 38 Repealed
  413. Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (c. 13)
  414. 39Paragraph 39
  415. Agriculture Act 1967 (c. 22)
  416. 40Paragraph 40
  417. Countryside Act 1968 (c. 41)
  418. 45Paragraph 45
  419. 46Paragraph 46
  420. 47Paragraph 47
  421. 48Paragraph 48
  422. 49Paragraph 49
  423. 51Paragraph 51
  424. 52Paragraph 52
  425. 53Paragraph 53
  426. 54Paragraph 54
  427. 56Paragraph 56
  428. Conservation of Seals Act 1970 (c. 30)
  429. Superannuation Act 1972 (c. 11)
  430. 58Paragraph 58
  431. Local Government Act 1974 (c. 7)
  432. House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24)
  433. 60Paragraph 60
  434. Race Relations Act 1976 (c. 74)
  435. 61Paragraph 61
  436. Import of Live Fish (England and Wales) Act 1980 (c. 27)
  437. 62Paragraph 62
  438. Highways Act 1980 (c. 66)
  439. 63Paragraph 63
  440. 64Paragraph 64
  441. 65Paragraph 65
  442. 66Paragraph 66
  443. 67Paragraph 67
  444. Animal Health Act 1981 (c. 22)
  445. 68Paragraph 68
  446. 69Paragraph 69
  447. Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (c. 69)
  448. 70Paragraph 70
  449. 71Paragraph 71
  450. 72Paragraph 72
  451. 73Paragraph 73
  452. 74Paragraph 74
  453. 75Paragraph 75
  454. 76Paragraph 76
  455. 77Paragraph 77
  456. 78Paragraph 78
  457. 79Paragraph 79
  458. 81Paragraph 81
  459. 82Paragraph 82
  460. 83Paragraph 83
  461. 84Paragraph 84
  462. 85Paragraph 85
  463. 86Paragraph 86
  464. 87Paragraph 87
  465. 88Paragraph 88
  466. 89Paragraph 89
  467. 90Paragraph 90
  468. 91Paragraph 91
  469. 92Paragraph 92
  470. 93Paragraph 93
  471. 94Paragraph 94
  472. 95Paragraph 95
  473. 96Paragraph 96
  474. 98Paragraph 98
  475. Derelict Land Act 1982 (c. 42)
  476. 99Paragraph 99 Repealed
  477. Agricultural Marketing (Northern Ireland) Order 1982 (S.I. 1982/1080 (N.I. 12))
  478. 100Paragraph 100
  479. 101Paragraph 101
  480. Miscellaneous Financial Provisions Act 1983 (c. 29)
  481. 102Paragraph 102
  482. National Heritage Act 1983 (c. 47)
  483. 103Paragraph 103
  484. Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (c. 27)
  485. 104Paragraph 104
  486. Inheritance Tax Act 1984 (c. 51)
  487. 105Paragraph 105
  488. General Consumer Council (Northern Ireland) Order 1984 (S.I. 1984/1822 (N.I. 12))
  489. 106Paragraph 106
  490. Agriculture Act 1986 (c. 49)
  491. 107Paragraph 107
  492. Channel Tunnel Act 1987 (c. 53)
  493. 108Paragraph 108
  494. 109Paragraph 109
  495. Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act 1988 (c. 4)
  496. 110Paragraph 110
  497. 111Paragraph 111
  498. 112Paragraph 112
  499. 113Paragraph 113
  500. 114Paragraph 114
  501. Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29)
  502. 115Paragraph 115
  503. Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c. 43)
  504. 116Paragraph 116
  505. 122Paragraph 122
  506. 124Paragraph 124
  507. 125Paragraph 125
  508. 127Paragraph 127
  509. Deer Act 1991 (c. 54)
  510. 128Paragraph 128
  511. Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56)
  512. 129Paragraph 129
  513. 130Paragraph 130
  514. 131Paragraph 131
  515. 132Paragraph 132
  516. Water Resources Act 1991 (c. 57)
  517. 133Paragraph 133
  518. Land Drainage Act 1991 (c. 59)
  519. 134Paragraph 134
  520. 135Paragraph 135
  521. Transport and Works Act 1992 (c. 42)
  522. 136Paragraph 136
  523. Protection of Badgers Act 1992 (c. 51)
  524. 137Paragraph 137
  525. Agriculture Act 1993 (c. 37)
  526. 138Paragraph 138
  527. Agriculture (Northern Ireland) Order 1993 (S.I. 1993/2665 (N.I. 10))
  528. 139Paragraph 139
  529. Environment Act 1995 (c. 25)
  530. 140Paragraph 140
  531. 142Paragraph 142
  532. 143Paragraph 143
  533. 144Paragraph 144 Repealed
  534. 145Paragraph 145
  535. 146Paragraph 146
  536. Channel Tunnel Rail Link Act 1996 (c. 61)
  537. 147Paragraph 147
  538. 148Paragraph 148
  539. Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38)
  540. 149Paragraph 149
  541. 150Paragraph 150
  542. Greater London Authority Act 1999 (c. 29)
  543. 151Paragraph 151
  544. 152Paragraph 152
  545. Freedom of Information Act 2000 (c. 36)
  546. 153Paragraph 153
  547. Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (c. 37)
  548. 154Paragraph 154
  549. 155Paragraph 155
  550. 156Paragraph 156
  551. 157Paragraph 157
  552. 158Paragraph 158
  553. 159Paragraph 159
  554. 160Paragraph 160
  555. 161Paragraph 161
  556. 162Paragraph 162
  557. 163Paragraph 163
  558. 164Paragraph 164
  559. 165Paragraph 165
  560. 166Paragraph 166
  561. 167Paragraph 167
  562. 168Paragraph 168
  563. 169Paragraph 169
  564. 170Paragraph 170
  565. Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 2002 (asp 11)
  566. 171Paragraph 171
  567. Water Act 2003 (c. 37)
  568. 172Paragraph 172
  569. Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 4)
  570. 173Paragraph 173
  571. Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (c. 36) Not yet in force
  572. 174Paragraph 174 Not yet in force
  573. Part 2: Inland waterways
  574. 175Paragraph 175 Repealed
  575. 176Paragraph 176
  576. Schedule 12Repeals and revocations