Code of practice for species control provisions in Wales

As a result of changes brought in by the Infrastructure Act 2015 new species control provisions are now contained in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. These provisions have been introduced to ensure that in certain circumstances appropriate action can be taken against invasive non-native species.

Welsh Ministers and Natural Resources Wales have new powers requiring owners to control invasive non-native species or allow them to do so where an owner has refused to act or allow access.  Provisions may also be applied to formerly resident native animals where they have been released unlawfully.

The draft code of practice sets out how the provisions should be applied.