Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026

1. Introduction

2. The Act

   1. Overview

   2. Interpretation

   3. Crown application

   4. Part 1 – Targets for Improving Biodiversity

      1. Section 1 - Targets for improving biodiversity

         1. Inserted section 2B – Purpose of setting targets

         2. Inserted section 2C – Duty to set targets

         3. Inserted section 2D – Setting targets: statements

         4. Inserted section 2E – Duties in relation to meeting targets

         5. Inserted section 2F – Reviewing progress and power to adjust topics

         6. Inserted section 2G – Process for setting or amending targets or adjusting topics

         7. Inserted section 2H – Independent review

         8. Inserted section 2I – Application of this Part

      2. Section 2 – Reports on compliance with biodiversity duty

   5. Part 2 – National Parks

      1. Modification of aims and purposes of National Parks

         1. Section 3 – Aims of National Parks

      2. Policy statement on National Parks

         1. Section 4 – Policy statement on National Parks

      3. National Park Proposals

         1. Section 5 – Advice before making National Park proposals

      4. Reports on National Park proposals

         1. Section 6 – Choice of reporter for National Park proposals

      5. Definitions for the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000

         1. Section 7 – Definitions for the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000

      6. Duties in respect of National Parks

         1. Section 8 – Duty to facilitate implementation of National Park Plans

      7. National Park authorities as local authorities for access rights

         1. Section 9 –Meaning of local authority for the purpose of access rights

      8. Enforcement of National Park byelaws

         1. Section 10 – Power to make regulations for the issuing of fixed penalty notices

   6. Part 3 – Deer Management

      1. Background and overview

      2. Aims and purposes of deer management

         1. Section 11 – Aims and purposes of deer management

      3. Membership of advisory panels

         1. Section 12 – Scottish Natural Heritage representation on advisory panels

      4. Code of practice on deer management

         1. Section 13 – Code of practice on deer management

      5. Deer management plans, control agreements and control schemes

         1. Section 14 – Grounds for intervention

         2. Section 15 – Deer management plans

         3. Section 16 – Control agreements

         4. Section 17 – Right to request action where deer are not being managed

         5. Section 18 – Control schemes

         6. Section 19 – Recovery of costs and expenses

         7. Section 20 – Limitation of criminal liability

      6. Preventing or stopping damage by deer

         1. Section 21 – Measures to prevent damage by deer

         2. Section 22 – Action to prevent or stop harm to persons

      7. National deer management and venison plan

         1. Section 23 – National deer management and venison plan

         2. Section 24 – National deer management and venison plan: matters which may be considered

         3. Section 25 – National deer management and venison plan: initial consideration of matters relating to venison

         4. Section 26 – Power to enter on land

         5. Section 27 – Power to require information and documents

         6. Section 28 – Giving notices electronically

      8. Authorisations for particular activities

         1. Section 29 – Authorisation for taking or killing deer during close seasons

         2. Section 30 – Authorisation for taking or killing deer at night

         3. Section 31 – Authorisation for use of vehicles to drive deer

         4. Section 32 – Offence of shooting deer with a shotgun

         5. Section 33 – Register of authorised persons

         6. Section 34 – Repeal of obligation to carry out competence review

         7. Section 35 – Requirement to be fit and competent for certain authorisations

         8. Section 36 – Repeal of saving of right to take deer on land

         9. Section 37 – Right of occupier or grazings committee to prevent damage by deer

      9. Stray farmed deer

         1. Section 38 – Liability for taking or killing stray farmed deer

      10. Licensing of dealing in venison

          1. Section 39 – Removal of requirements related to licensing to deal in venison

          2. Section 40 – Review of modifications to the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996

   7. Part 4 – Miscellaneous and General

      1. Building regulations: swift nest box

         1. Section 41 – Building regulations: swift nest box

      2. Marine protection

         1. Section 42 – Nature conservation marine protected areas: climate adaptation

      3. Salmon and freshwater fishing

         1. Section 43 – Modification of offences and penalties related to fishing

      4. Report on penalties in sea fisheries legislation

         1. Section 44 – Report on penalties in sea fisheries legislation

      5. Gulls

         1. Section 45 – Report on gull population

      6. Scallop shells

         1. Section 46 – Guidance about scallop shells

      7. Wildlife licensing

         1. Section 47 – Licensing: protection of mountain hares

         2. Section 48 – Licensing: land on which certain birds may be killed or taken

      8. Wildfires

         1. Section 49 – Wildfires: enabling local authorities to issue fixed penalty notices

      9. Meaning of public authority in the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004

         1. Section 50 – Meaning of public authority etc. in the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004

      10. Ramsar sites

          1. Section 51 – Further provision about Ramsar sites

      11. Forestry

          1. Section 52 – Sustainable forest management

          2. Section 53 – Forestry: offence of unauthorised felling

      12. Improvement plans under the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021

          1. Section 54 – Procedure to approve improvement plans

      13. Muirburn

          1. Section 55 – Muirburn licensing: making muirburn for purpose of approved training course

          2. Section 56 – Muirburn licensing: grounds for grant of licence

      14. General

          1. Section 57 – Regulations

          2. Section 58 – Ancillary provision

          3. Section 59 – Commencement

          4. Section 60 – Short title

3. Parliamentary History