Invasive Plants

Definitive guidance from the Scottish Government on responsibility for non-native and invasive species is being sought.

For more information, you can refer to The Scottish Government's Code of Practice .

Code of Practice key points

Who is responsible for non-native species in Scotland?

Scottish Ministers (including Marine Scotland), Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), the Scottish Environment Protection Agency(SEPA) and the Forestry Commissioners (FCS) all have responsibilities relating to non-native species in Scotland.

SNH is the overall lead co-ordinating body for non-native species issues.

These 'habitat leads' are given specific powers relating to the prevention, eradication and control of non-natives in the 1981 Act (Chapter 9 provides more details) and are responsible for determining priorities for their habitat.

Who do I contact if I have a non-native species enquiry?

The habitat leads all have information on their websites however queries should be directed in the first instance to:

• Scottish Environment and Rural Services (SEARS)
• Tel: 08452 30 20 50 (24/7 customer service number)
• e: info@sears.scotland.gsi.uk

Contacting the Habitat Lead directly

• SNH: non_native_species@snh.gov.uk
• FCS: fcsscotland@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
• Marine Scotland: marinescotland@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
• SEPA

Who do I contact if I require a licence to release a non-native species?

Most licensing is dealt with by SNH with freshwater fish being dealt with by Marine Scotland.

Licensing enquires

• Scottish Natural Heritage
  Tel: 01463 725245
  e: licensing@snh.gov.uk
• Marine Scotland
  Tel: 0131 244 6236
  e: Valerie.Lusk2@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Native ranges and species specific advice

• Scottish Natural Heritage
• Orders and other general information
  • www.scotland.gov.uk/nonnativespecies