OpenLegislation

Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026

2026 asp 6 · Enacted 12 March 2026 · Extends to Scotland

Up to date with all changes known to legislation.gov.uk, revised to 26 October 2026.

An Act of the Scottish Parliament to make provision about setting targets relating to biodiversity; to make provision in relation to national parks; to make provision in connection with the management of deer; to make certain other miscellaneous provisions relating to environmental matters; and for connected purposes.

The Bill for this Act of the Scottish Parliament was passed by the Parliament on 29th January 2026 and received Royal Assent on 12th March 2026

Contents

  1. Part 1: Targets for improving biodiversity Not yet in force
  2. 1Targets for improving biodiversity Not yet in force
  3. 2Reports on compliance with biodiversity duty Not yet in force
  4. Part 2: National parks
  5. Modification of aims and purposes of National Parks
  6. 3Aims of National Parks
  7. Policy statement on National Parks
  8. 4Policy statement on National Parks
  9. National Park proposals
  10. 5Advice before making National Park proposals
  11. Reports on National Park proposals
  12. 6Choice of reporter for National Park proposals
  13. Definitions for the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000
  14. 7Definitions for the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000
  15. Duties in respect of National Parks
  16. 8Duty to facilitate implementation of National Park Plans
  17. National Park authorities as local authorities for access rights
  18. 9Meaning of local authority for the purpose of access rights
  19. Enforcement of National Park byelaws
  20. 10Power to make regulations for the issuing of fixed penalty notices
  21. Part 3: Deer management
  22. Aims and purposes of deer management
  23. 11Aims and purposes of deer management
  24. Membership of advisory panels
  25. 12Scottish Natural Heritage representation on advisory panels
  26. Code of practice on deer management
  27. 13Code of practice on deer management
  28. Deer management plans, control agreements and control schemes Not yet in force
  29. 14Grounds for intervention Not yet in force
  30. 15Deer management plans Not yet in force
  31. 16Control agreements Not yet in force
  32. 17Right to request action where deer are not being managed Not yet in force
  33. 18Control schemes Not yet in force
  34. 19Recovery of costs and expenses Not yet in force
  35. 20Limitation of criminal liability Not yet in force
  36. Preventing or stopping damage by deer
  37. 21Measures to prevent damage by deer
  38. 22Action to prevent or stop harm to persons
  39. National deer management and venison plan
  40. 23National deer management and venison plan
  41. 24National deer management and venison plan: matters which may be considered
  42. 25National deer management and venison plan: initial consideration of matters relating to venison
  43. SNH investigatory powers
  44. 26Power to enter on land Not yet in force
  45. 27Power to require information and documents Not yet in force
  46. 28Giving notices electronically
  47. Authorisations for particular activities
  48. 29Authorisation for taking or killing deer during close seasons Not yet in force
  49. 30Authorisation for taking or killing deer at night Not yet in force
  50. 31Authorisation for use of vehicles to drive deer
  51. 32Offence of shooting deer with a shotgun
  52. 33Register of authorised persons
  53. 34Repeal of obligation to carry out competence review
  54. 35Requirement to be fit and competent for certain authorisations
  55. 36Repeal of saving of right to take deer on land
  56. 37Right of occupier or grazings committee to prevent damage by deer Not yet in force
  57. Stray farmed deer Not yet in force
  58. 38Liability for taking or killing stray farmed deer Not yet in force
  59. Licensing of dealing in venison Not yet in force
  60. 39Removal of requirements related to licensing to deal in venison Not yet in force
  61. Review of modifications
  62. 40Review of modifications to the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996
  63. Part 4: Miscellaneous and general
  64. Building regulations: swift nest box Not yet in force
  65. 41Building regulations: swift nest box Not yet in force
  66. Marine protection
  67. 42Nature conservation marine protected areas: climate adaptation
  68. Salmon and freshwater fishing Not yet in force
  69. 43Modification of offences and penalties related to fishing Not yet in force
  70. Report on penalties in sea fisheries legislation Not yet in force
  71. 44Report on penalties in sea fisheries legislation Not yet in force
  72. Gulls
  73. 45Report on gull population
  74. Scallop shells
  75. 46Guidance about scallop shells
  76. Wildlife licensing
  77. 47Licensing: protection of mountain hares
  78. 48Licensing: land on which certain birds may be killed or taken
  79. Wildfires
  80. 49Wildfires: enabling local authorities to issue fixed penalty notices
  81. Meaning of public authority in the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004
  82. 50Meaning of public authority etc. in the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004
  83. Ramsar sites
  84. 51Further provision about Ramsar sites
  85. Forestry
  86. 52Sustainable forest management
  87. 53Forestry: offence of unauthorised felling
  88. Improvement plans under the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021
  89. 54Procedure to approve improvement plans
  90. Muirburn
  91. 55Muirburn licensing: making muirburn for purpose of approved training course
  92. 56Muirburn licensing: grounds for grant of licence
  93. General
  94. 57Regulations
  95. 58Ancillary provision
  96. 59Commencement
  97. 60Short title