OpenLegislation

Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006

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. Part 1: Natural England and the Commission for Rural Communities
  2. Chapter 1: Natural England
  3. Constitution and general purpose
  4. 1Constitution
  5. 2General purpose
  6. Advisory functions
  7. 3Review and research
  8. 4Advice
  9. 4ASupplementary provision
  10. General implementation powers
  11. 5Carrying out proposals etc.
  12. 6Financial and other assistance
  13. 7Management agreements
  14. 8Experimental schemes
  15. Other functions
  16. 9Information services etc.
  17. 10Consultancy services and training
  18. 11Power to charge for services and licences
  19. 12Power to bring criminal proceedings
  20. 13Incidental powers
  21. Powers of Secretary of State
  22. 14Grants
  23. 15Guidance
  24. 16Directions
  25. Chapter 2: Commission for Rural Communities
  26. The Commission and its general purpose
  27. 17Commission for Rural Communities Repealed
  28. 18Commission's general purpose Repealed
  29. Functions
  30. 19Representation, advice and monitoring Repealed
  31. 20Research Repealed
  32. 21Information services etc. Repealed
  33. 22Power to charge for services Repealed
  34. 23Incidental powers Repealed
  35. Powers of Secretary of State
  36. 24Grants Repealed
  37. 25Directions Repealed
  38. Chapter 3: Supplementary
  39. Transfer schemes etc.
  40. 26Transfers on dissolution of English Nature and Countryside Agency
  41. 27Continuing powers to make transfer schemes
  42. 28Transfer schemes: supplementary
  43. 29Interim arrangements
  44. Interpretation
  45. 30Interpretation
  46. Part 2: Nature conservation in the UK
  47. Joint Nature Conservation Committee etc.
  48. 31Joint Nature Conservation Committee
  49. 32UK conservation bodies
  50. 33Purpose of functions under this Part
  51. Coordinated functions
  52. 34Functions of national or international significance
  53. 35Advice from joint committee to UK conservation body
  54. 36GB functions with respect to wildlife
  55. 37UK conservation bodies: incidental powers for UK purposes, etc.
  56. Directions
  57. 38Directions
  58. Interpretation
  59. 39Interpretation
  60. Part 3: Wildlife etc.
  61. Biodiversity
  62. 40Duty to conserve and enhance biodiversity
  63. 40ABiodiversity reports
  64. 41Biodiversity lists and action (England)
  65. 42Biodiversity lists and action (Wales) Repealed
  66. Pesticides harmful to wildlife
  67. 43Possession of pesticides harmful to wildlife
  68. 44Enforcement powers in connection with pesticides
  69. 45Codes of practice
  70. 46Interpretation
  71. Protection of birds
  72. 47Protection for nests of certain birds which re-use their nests
  73. 48Birds released into the wild as part of re-population programme
  74. 49Registration etc. of certain captive birds
  75. Invasive non-native species
  76. 50Sale etc. of invasive non-native species
  77. 51Codes of practice in connection with invasive non-native species
  78. Enforcement etc. of provisions relating to wildlife
  79. 52Enforcement powers in connection with wildlife
  80. 53Wildlife offences: time limits for proceedings
  81. 54Application of Part 1 of 1981 Act to Crown
  82. Part 4: Sites of special scientific interest
  83. 55Offences in connection with SSSIs
  84. 56Denotification
  85. 57Effect of failure to serve certain notices in connection with SSSIs
  86. 58Notices and signs relating to SSSIs
  87. Part 5: National Parks and the Broads
  88. 59Criteria for designating National Parks
  89. 60Procedure for orders designating National Parks
  90. 61Members of National Park authorities
  91. 62Expenditure by National Parks authorities
  92. 63Notification of agricultural operations on moor and heath in National Parks
  93. 64Functions of Broads Authority and others in relation to the Broads
  94. 65Emergency financial assistance
  95. Part 6: Rights of way
  96. Rights of way and mechanically propelled vehicles
  97. 66Restriction on creation of new public rights of way
  98. 67Ending of certain existing unrecorded public rights of way
  99. 68Presumed dedication of restricted byways and use by pedal cycles etc.
  100. 69Presumed dedication and applications under section 53(5) of the 1981 Act
  101. 70Supplementary
  102. 71Interpretation
  103. Traffic regulation in National Parks
  104. 72Traffic regulation on byways etc. in National Parks
  105. Part 7: Inland waterways
  106. 73Inland Waterways Advisory Council Repealed
  107. 74Constitution of Council Repealed
  108. 75Term of office, procedure etc. Repealed
  109. 76Functions of Council: England and Wales Repealed
  110. 77Functions of Council: Scotland Repealed
  111. Part 8: Flexible administrative arrangements
  112. Chapter 1: Agreements with designated bodies
  113. Powers to enter into agreements
  114. 78Agreement between Secretary of State and designated body
  115. 79Agreement between designated bodies
  116. 80Designated bodies
  117. 81Reserved functions
  118. 82Maximum duration of agreement
  119. Supplementary
  120. 83Particular powers
  121. 84Agreements with local authorities
  122. 85Supplementary provisions with respect to agreements
  123. 86Interpretation
  124. Chapter 2: Powers to reform agricultural etc. bodies
  125. Power to create boards
  126. 87Power to establish boards
  127. 88Permissible purposes of boards
  128. 89Permissible functions of boards
  129. 89AIdentification and traceability of animals
  130. 90Ancillary provisions
  131. Power to dissolve existing levy bodies and boards
  132. 91Power to dissolve existing levy bodies
  133. 92Power to dissolve board
  134. 93Dissolution: supplementary
  135. Powers of appropriate authority
  136. 94Grants
  137. 95Directions
  138. Supplementary
  139. 96“The appropriate authority”
  140. 97Orders: procedure etc.
  141. Chapter 3: Financial assistance
  142. 98Financial assistance
  143. Part 9: Miscellaneous
  144. 99Natural beauty in the countryside
  145. 100Byelaws relating to land drainage
  146. 101Abolition of certain agricultural etc. committees
  147. Part 10: Final provisions
  148. 102Crown land
  149. 103Wales
  150. 104Power to make further provision
  151. 105Minor and consequential amendments etc.
  152. 106Financial provisions
  153. 107Commencement
  154. 108Extent
  155. 109Short title
  156. Schedule 1: Natural England
  157. Status
  158. 1Paragraph 1
  159. 2Paragraph 2
  160. Membership
  161. 3Paragraph 3
  162. 4Paragraph 4
  163. Term of office
  164. 5Paragraph 5
  165. 6Paragraph 6
  166. 7Paragraph 7
  167. 8Paragraph 8
  168. 9Paragraph 9
  169. Remuneration and pensions etc.
  170. 10Paragraph 10
  171. 11Paragraph 11
  172. 12Paragraph 12
  173. Staff
  174. 13Paragraph 13
  175. 14Paragraph 14
  176. 15Paragraph 15
  177. 16Paragraph 16
  178. Procedure
  179. 17Paragraph 17
  180. 18Paragraph 18
  181. Discharge of functions
  182. 19Paragraph 19
  183. Membership of committees and sub-committees
  184. 20Paragraph 20
  185. Application of seal and proof of documents
  186. 21Paragraph 21
  187. Nature reserves
  188. 22Paragraph 22
  189. Reports, accounts etc.
  190. 23Paragraph 23
  191. 24Paragraph 24
  192. 25Paragraph 25
  193. 26Paragraph 26
  194. Schedule 2: Commission for Rural Communities
  195. Status Repealed
  196. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  197. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  198. Membership Repealed
  199. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  200. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  201. Term of office Repealed
  202. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  203. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  204. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  205. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  206. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  207. Remuneration and pensions etc. Repealed
  208. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  209. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  210. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  211. Staff Repealed
  212. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  213. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  214. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  215. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  216. Procedure Repealed
  217. 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
  218. 18Paragraph 18 Repealed
  219. Discharge of functions Repealed
  220. 19Paragraph 19 Repealed
  221. Membership of committees and sub-committees Repealed
  222. 20Paragraph 20 Repealed
  223. Application of seal and proof of documents Repealed
  224. 21Paragraph 21 Repealed
  225. Reports, accounts etc. Repealed
  226. 22Paragraph 22 Repealed
  227. 23Paragraph 23 Repealed
  228. 24Paragraph 24 Repealed
  229. 25Paragraph 25 Repealed
  230. Schedule 3: Transfer schemes
  231. Creation and apportionment of property, rights and liabilities etc.
  232. 1Paragraph 1
  233. 2Paragraph 2
  234. 3Paragraph 3
  235. Employment contracts
  236. 4Paragraph 4
  237. 5Paragraph 5
  238. 6Paragraph 6
  239. Civil servants treated as employed under a contract of employment etc.
  240. 7Paragraph 7
  241. Compensation
  242. 8Paragraph 8
  243. Continuity
  244. 9Paragraph 9
  245. 10Paragraph 10
  246. 11Paragraph 11
  247. 12Paragraph 12
  248. Incidental provision
  249. 13Paragraph 13
  250. Schedule 4: Joint Nature Conservation Committee
  251. Membership
  252. 1Paragraph 1
  253. 2Paragraph 2
  254. 3Paragraph 3
  255. Term of office of members appointed by Secretary of State
  256. 4Paragraph 4
  257. 5Paragraph 5
  258. 6Paragraph 6
  259. Remuneration and allowances etc.
  260. 7Paragraph 7
  261. 8Paragraph 8
  262. 9Paragraph 9
  263. Staff: general
  264. 10Paragraph 10
  265. 11Paragraph 11
  266. 12Paragraph 12
  267. Formation of company
  268. 13Paragraph 13
  269. Funding
  270. 14Paragraph 14
  271. 15Paragraph 15
  272. Procedure
  273. 16Paragraph 16
  274. Discharge of functions
  275. 17Paragraph 17
  276. Annual reports
  277. 18Paragraph 18
  278. Interpretation
  279. 19Paragraph 19
  280. Schedule 5: Enforcement powers in connection with wildlife
  281. Part 1: Amendments of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
  282. 1Paragraph 1
  283. 2Paragraph 2
  284. 3Paragraph 3
  285. 4Paragraph 4
  286. 5Paragraph 5
  287. 6Paragraph 6
  288. Part 2: Powers of wildlife inspectors extended to certain other Acts
  289. Introduction
  290. 7Paragraph 7
  291. Destructive Imported Animals Act 1932 (c. 12)
  292. 8Paragraph 8
  293. Conservation of Seals Act 1970 (c. 30)
  294. 9Paragraph 9
  295. Deer Act 1991 (c. 54)
  296. 10Paragraph 10
  297. Protection of Badgers Act 1992 (c. 51)
  298. 11Paragraph 11
  299. Part 3: Codes of practice
  300. 12Paragraph 12
  301. Part 4: Constable's search warrant power extended to certain other Acts
  302. 13Paragraph 13
  303. Schedule 6: Wildlife offences: time limits for proceedings
  304. Destructive Imported Animals Act 1932 (c. 12)
  305. 1Paragraph 1
  306. Conservation of Seals Act 1970 (c. 30)
  307. 2Paragraph 2
  308. Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (c. 69)
  309. 3Paragraph 3
  310. 4Paragraph 4
  311. Deer Act 1991 (c. 54)
  312. 5Paragraph 5
  313. Protection of Badgers Act 1992 (c. 51)
  314. 6Paragraph 6
  315. Schedule 7: Designated bodies
  316. 1Paragraph 1
  317. 1AParagraph 1A
  318. 2Paragraph 2
  319. 3Paragraph 3
  320. 4Paragraph 4
  321. 5Paragraph 5
  322. 6Paragraph 6
  323. 7Paragraph 7
  324. 8Paragraph 8
  325. 9Paragraph 9
  326. 10Paragraph 10
  327. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  328. 12Paragraph 12
  329. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  330. 14Paragraph 14
  331. 15Paragraph 15
  332. 16Paragraph 16
  333. 16AParagraph 16A
  334. 17Paragraph 17
  335. 18Paragraph 18
  336. 19Paragraph 19
  337. 20Paragraph 20
  338. 21Paragraph 21
  339. 22Paragraph 22
  340. Schedule 8: Agricultural etc. boards
  341. Status
  342. 1Paragraph 1
  343. 2Paragraph 2
  344. Membership
  345. 3Paragraph 3
  346. 4Paragraph 4
  347. 5Paragraph 5
  348. Term of office
  349. 6Paragraph 6
  350. Remuneration and pensions
  351. 7Paragraph 7
  352. Staff
  353. 8Paragraph 8
  354. Reports, accounts etc.
  355. 9Paragraph 9
  356. 10Paragraph 10
  357. 11Paragraph 11
  358. Schedule 9: Functions which may be assigned to boards
  359. 1Paragraph 1
  360. 2Paragraph 2
  361. 3Paragraph 3
  362. 4Paragraph 4
  363. 5Paragraph 5
  364. 6Paragraph 6
  365. 7Paragraph 7
  366. 8Paragraph 8
  367. 9Paragraph 9
  368. 10Paragraph 10
  369. 11Paragraph 11
  370. 12Paragraph 12
  371. 13Paragraph 13
  372. 14Paragraph 14
  373. 15Paragraph 15
  374. 16Paragraph 16
  375. 17Paragraph 17
  376. 18Paragraph 18
  377. 19Paragraph 19
  378. Schedule 10: Ancillary provisions relating to boards
  379. Acting through subsidiaries
  380. 1Paragraph 1
  381. Registers, returns and other information
  382. 2Paragraph 2
  383. Investigative powers
  384. 3Paragraph 3
  385. Reserve funds etc.
  386. 4Paragraph 4
  387. Levies
  388. 5Paragraph 5
  389. Power to charge for services
  390. 6Paragraph 6
  391. Incidental powers
  392. 7Paragraph 7
  393. Approval of appropriate authority, consultation etc.
  394. 8Paragraph 8
  395. Offences
  396. 9Paragraph 9
  397. Schedule 11: Minor and consequential amendments
  398. Part 1: General
  399. Destructive Imported Animals Act 1932 (c. 12)
  400. 1Paragraph 1
  401. Hill Farming Act 1946 (c. 73)
  402. 2Paragraph 2
  403. 3Paragraph 3
  404. Industrial Organisation and Development Act 1947 (c. 40)
  405. 4Paragraph 4
  406. 5Paragraph 5
  407. National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 (c. 97)
  408. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  409. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  410. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  411. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  412. 10Paragraph 10
  413. 11Paragraph 11
  414. 12Paragraph 12
  415. 13Paragraph 13
  416. 14Paragraph 14
  417. 15Paragraph 15
  418. 16Paragraph 16
  419. 17Paragraph 17
  420. 18Paragraph 18
  421. 19Paragraph 19
  422. 20Paragraph 20
  423. 21Paragraph 21
  424. 22Paragraph 22
  425. 23Paragraph 23
  426. 24Paragraph 24
  427. 25Paragraph 25
  428. Manoeuvres Act 1958 (7 & 8 Eliz. 2 c. 7)
  429. 26Paragraph 26
  430. Agricultural Marketing Act 1958 (c. 47)
  431. 27Paragraph 27
  432. 28Paragraph 28
  433. 29Paragraph 29
  434. 30Paragraph 30
  435. 31Paragraph 31
  436. 32Paragraph 32
  437. 33Paragraph 33
  438. Public Records Act 1958 (c. 51)
  439. 34Paragraph 34
  440. Cereals Marketing Act 1965 (c. 14)
  441. 35Paragraph 35
  442. 36Paragraph 36
  443. Superannuation Act 1965 (c. 74)
  444. 37Paragraph 37
  445. Sea Fisheries Regulation Act 1966 (c. 38)
  446. 38Paragraph 38 Repealed
  447. Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (c. 13)
  448. 39Paragraph 39
  449. Agriculture Act 1967 (c. 22)
  450. 40Paragraph 40
  451. Countryside Act 1968 (c. 41)
  452. 41Paragraph 41 Repealed
  453. 42Paragraph 42 Repealed
  454. 43Paragraph 43
  455. 44Paragraph 44 Repealed
  456. 45Paragraph 45
  457. 46Paragraph 46
  458. 47Paragraph 47
  459. 48Paragraph 48
  460. 49Paragraph 49
  461. 50Paragraph 50 Repealed
  462. 51Paragraph 51
  463. 52Paragraph 52
  464. 53Paragraph 53
  465. 54Paragraph 54
  466. 55Paragraph 55
  467. 56Paragraph 56
  468. Conservation of Seals Act 1970 (c. 30)
  469. 57Paragraph 57 Repealed
  470. Superannuation Act 1972 (c. 11)
  471. 58Paragraph 58
  472. Local Government Act 1974 (c. 7)
  473. 59Paragraph 59 Repealed
  474. House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24)
  475. 60Paragraph 60
  476. Race Relations Act 1976 (c. 74)
  477. 61Paragraph 61
  478. Import of Live Fish (England and Wales) Act 1980 (c. 27)
  479. 62Paragraph 62
  480. Highways Act 1980 (c. 66)
  481. 63Paragraph 63
  482. 64Paragraph 64
  483. 65Paragraph 65
  484. 66Paragraph 66
  485. 67Paragraph 67
  486. Animal Health Act 1981 (c. 22)
  487. 68Paragraph 68
  488. 69Paragraph 69
  489. Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (c. 69)
  490. 70Paragraph 70
  491. 71Paragraph 71
  492. 72Paragraph 72
  493. 73Paragraph 73
  494. 74Paragraph 74
  495. 75Paragraph 75
  496. 76Paragraph 76
  497. 77Paragraph 77
  498. 78Paragraph 78
  499. 79Paragraph 79
  500. 80Paragraph 80 Repealed
  501. 81Paragraph 81
  502. 82Paragraph 82
  503. 83Paragraph 83
  504. 84Paragraph 84
  505. 85Paragraph 85
  506. 86Paragraph 86
  507. 87Paragraph 87
  508. 88Paragraph 88
  509. 89Paragraph 89
  510. 90Paragraph 90
  511. 91Paragraph 91
  512. 92Paragraph 92
  513. 93Paragraph 93
  514. 94Paragraph 94
  515. 95Paragraph 95
  516. 96Paragraph 96
  517. 97Paragraph 97
  518. 98Paragraph 98
  519. Derelict Land Act 1982 (c. 42)
  520. 99Paragraph 99 Repealed
  521. Agricultural Marketing (Northern Ireland) Order 1982 (S.I. 1982/1080 (N.I. 12))
  522. 100Paragraph 100
  523. 101Paragraph 101
  524. Miscellaneous Financial Provisions Act 1983 (c. 29)
  525. 102Paragraph 102
  526. National Heritage Act 1983 (c. 47)
  527. 103Paragraph 103
  528. Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (c. 27)
  529. 104Paragraph 104
  530. Inheritance Tax Act 1984 (c. 51)
  531. 105Paragraph 105
  532. General Consumer Council (Northern Ireland) Order 1984 (S.I. 1984/1822 (N.I. 12))
  533. 106Paragraph 106
  534. Agriculture Act 1986 (c. 49)
  535. 107Paragraph 107
  536. Channel Tunnel Act 1987 (c. 53)
  537. 108Paragraph 108
  538. 109Paragraph 109
  539. Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act 1988 (c. 4)
  540. 110Paragraph 110
  541. 111Paragraph 111
  542. 112Paragraph 112
  543. 113Paragraph 113
  544. 114Paragraph 114
  545. Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29)
  546. 115Paragraph 115
  547. Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c. 43)
  548. 116Paragraph 116
  549. 117Paragraph 117 Repealed
  550. 118Paragraph 118 Repealed
  551. 119Paragraph 119 Repealed
  552. 120Paragraph 120 Repealed
  553. 121Paragraph 121 Repealed
  554. 122Paragraph 122
  555. 123Paragraph 123 Repealed
  556. 124Paragraph 124
  557. 125Paragraph 125
  558. 126Paragraph 126 Repealed
  559. 127Paragraph 127
  560. Deer Act 1991 (c. 54)
  561. 128Paragraph 128
  562. Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56)
  563. 129Paragraph 129
  564. 130Paragraph 130
  565. 131Paragraph 131
  566. 132Paragraph 132
  567. Water Resources Act 1991 (c. 57)
  568. 133Paragraph 133
  569. Land Drainage Act 1991 (c. 59)
  570. 134Paragraph 134
  571. 135Paragraph 135
  572. Transport and Works Act 1992 (c. 42)
  573. 136Paragraph 136
  574. Protection of Badgers Act 1992 (c. 51)
  575. 137Paragraph 137
  576. Agriculture Act 1993 (c. 37)
  577. 138Paragraph 138
  578. Agriculture (Northern Ireland) Order 1993 (S.I. 1993/2665 (N.I. 10))
  579. 139Paragraph 139
  580. Environment Act 1995 (c. 25)
  581. 140Paragraph 140
  582. 141Paragraph 141
  583. 142Paragraph 142
  584. 143Paragraph 143
  585. 144Paragraph 144 Repealed
  586. 145Paragraph 145
  587. 146Paragraph 146
  588. Channel Tunnel Rail Link Act 1996 (c. 61)
  589. 147Paragraph 147
  590. 148Paragraph 148
  591. Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38)
  592. 149Paragraph 149
  593. 150Paragraph 150
  594. Greater London Authority Act 1999 (c. 29)
  595. 151Paragraph 151
  596. 152Paragraph 152
  597. Freedom of Information Act 2000 (c. 36)
  598. 153Paragraph 153
  599. Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (c. 37)
  600. 154Paragraph 154
  601. 155Paragraph 155
  602. 156Paragraph 156
  603. 157Paragraph 157
  604. 158Paragraph 158
  605. 159Paragraph 159
  606. 160Paragraph 160
  607. 161Paragraph 161
  608. 162Paragraph 162
  609. 163Paragraph 163
  610. 164Paragraph 164
  611. 165Paragraph 165
  612. 166Paragraph 166
  613. 167Paragraph 167
  614. 168Paragraph 168
  615. 169Paragraph 169
  616. 170Paragraph 170
  617. Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 2002 (asp 11)
  618. 171Paragraph 171
  619. Water Act 2003 (c. 37)
  620. 172Paragraph 172
  621. Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 4)
  622. 173Paragraph 173
  623. Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (c. 36) Not yet in force
  624. 174Paragraph 174 Not yet in force
  625. Part 2: Inland waterways
  626. 175Paragraph 175 Repealed
  627. 176Paragraph 176
  628. Schedule 12Repeals and revocations