The bigger picture | Scottish Invasive Species Initiative (SISI)

Great Britain

The GB Non-Native Species Secretariat has responsibility for helping to coordinate the approach to invasive non-native species in Great Britain. They are responsible to a Programme Board which represents the relevant governments and agencies of England, Scotland and Wales.

Further information on the structures and groups which support coordination across the United Kingdom and Great Britain is available here. The 2023 GB Invasive Non-Native Species Strategy is a key document.

Scottish Government and Scotland

Ultimately, the Scottish Government leads and sets the approach to invasive species management in Scotland.

Information on the Scottish Government Website is helpful in providing strategic information and introduces the Code of Practice published to support a wide range of sectors on responsible actions relating to invasive non-native species.

Within the code a framework of responsibilities has been developed for relevant organisations:

NatureScot is the lead coordinating body for the framework and lead organisation. They are the lead body for invasive species on land, this includes invasive species like giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed, rhododendron, grey squirrels and American mink.
Scottish Government Marine Directorate leads on invasive species in our seas and the marine environment. This includes invasive species like the carpet sea squirt.
Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is the lead body for freshwater (still and flowing). They lead on aquatic invasive species including New Zealand pigmyweed (Crassula), curly waterweed and water fern.
Scottish Forestry leads on invasive species in woodland and other habitats on the National Forest Estate. This includes Rhododendron and grey squirrel.

International

EU Regulation 1143/2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species
was retained in Scots law under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. In Scotland, EU Regulation (1143/2014) was amended through the Invasive Non-native Species (EU Exit) (Scotland) (Amendment etc.) Regulations 2020 to ensure operability following the UK’s exit from the EU. It applies to Scotland only.
The Convention for Biological Diversity (CBD) recognises the introduction and spread of alien or invasive non native species as a major cause of biodiversity loss. The CBD sets global priorities, guidelines, collects information and helps to coordinate international action on invasive alien species.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) developed the Species Survival Commission (SSC) as part of the global initiative on invasive species. Within the commission is the Invasive Species Specialist Group who host the Global Invasive Species Database (GISD).
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is an independent intergovernmental body established by States to strengthen the science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, long-term human well-being and sustainable development. It has completed valuable international assessments on the risk and impacts of invasive non-native species.

Legislation in Scotland

The aim of the legislation related to invasive non-native species (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended by the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011) is to prevent the spread of non-native species into the wild.

The regulations state that it is an offence to:

release or allow to escape from captivity any animal to a place outwith its native range
cause any animal outwith the control of any person to be at place outwith its native range
plant or otherwise cause to grow any plant in the wild outwith its native range.

Put simply, it is an offence to:

release (accidentally or on purpose) a non-native animal (e.g. grey squirrel, American mink etc) into the wild.
plant non-native plants in the wild (or release seeds etc.).
allow non-native plants to spread into the wild (e.g. by allowing it spread from your land through inactivity, by dumping garden waste into the wild, by moving contaminated soil etc.).

The term “wild” is taken to be woodlands, scrub, rough grassland, road verges or river corridors in the countryside, however it does not include agricultural land, and private and public gardens.

Although the legislation does not include a legal requirement to control already established invasive non-native species, it is an offence to allow non-native species to spread into the wild. Therefore, management of non-native species may be required to prevent further spread.

NatureScot has some powers to enforce action where landowner inactivity may be allowing the spread of non-native species into the wild or is preventing the success of a co-ordinated eradication program. However, voluntary action by landowners to remove invasive species is the preferred course of action.

The legislation also allows for a ban on the sale of certain types of animals or plants (except under licence).

The Scottish Government’s Code of Practice on Non-Native Species contains detailed guidance about the legislation.

Action and Advice

If you need further advice about non-native species or licencing you can contact your local NatureScot area office.

Plantlife have produced a guidance leaflet for gardeners about what to do if you have invasive non-native plants in your garden and how to remove them.

The GB non-native species secretariat has collated number of documents and links relating to the management of invasive non-native species.

If you are in the project area of the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative you can volunteer with us, gain training and help directly in the removal invasive non-native species. Find our more about volunteer opportunities.

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