ENVIRONMENTAL CODE OF PRACTICE
Nature conservation and environmental agencies
The nature conservation agencies are the Government’s statutory
advisors on matters concerning the protection and conservation of
species and habitats. These bodies designate and oversee sites,
which are considered to have national and international importance
for nature conservation. The environmental agencies are responsible
for regulating activities of industry and business as well as
day-to-day monitoring and clean up operations at a local level.
Businesses operating in designated areas have to obtain the consent
of the relevant body before undertaking certain activities, such as
dredging or development.
Natural England
From the beginning of October 2006 English Nature, the
environment activities of the Rural Development Service and the
Countryside Agency’s Landscape, Access and Recreation division will
be united in a single body called Natural England.
Natural England will be a new and exciting organisation with the
responsibility to conserve and enhance the value and beauty of
England’s natural environment and promote access, recreation and
public well-being for the benefit of today’s and future
generations.
For more information visit http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/
Countryside Council for Wales
The Countryside Council for Wales is the Government’s statutory
adviser on sustaining natural beauty, wildlife and the opportunity
for outdoor enjoyment in Wales and its inshore waters. It is the
national wildlife conservation authority and works closely with the
National Assembly over matters relating to nature conservation
issues in Wales.
For more information visit www.ccw.gov.uk/
Scottish Natural Heritage
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is the Government’s statutory
nature conservation body north of the border and is responsible to
the Scottish Executive. Like its counterparts in England and Wales,
SNH advises on policies to improve habitats and species and support
their sustainable use. It also notifies and designates areas
considered to be of particular national and international
importance.
For more information visit www.snh.org.uk/
Environment Agency
In England and Wales, the Environment Agency began operation on
1 April 1996. It has major responsibilities for the control of
industrial pollution and wastes, for the regulation and enhancement
of the environment and for controlling navigation on some inland
waterways. Designed to be a single regulatory body – in effect, a
‘one stop shop’ – the recreational boating sector deals with the EA
in matters relating to water pollution, integrated pollution
control, waste regulation and disposal and as a navigation
authority, for example on the River Thames. The Agency has powers,
although no obligation, to manage water courses to maintain flow,
construct and maintain flood defences and to manage water levels
The EA is divided into eight regions with each region containing
three or four area offices and numerous local branches. Details of
your regional office can be found on the Agency’s website.
For more information visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/
Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA)
SEPA is responsible for the control of air and water pollution
and the regulation of solid waste disposal in Scotland. On its
creation in 1996, it assumed the duties of HM Industrial Pollution
Inspectorate, the river purification authorities, the Hazardous
Waste Inspectorate and the pollution control functions of the local
authorities. SEPA has three regions, which are subdivided into
areas.
For more information visit www.sepa.org.uk/
Environment and Heritage Service Northern Ireland
EHSNI carries out a range of activities, which promote the
Government’s key themes of sustainable development, biodiversity
and climate change. The overall aims are to protect and conserve
Northern Ireland’s natural heritage and built environment, to
control and regulate pollution and to promote the wider
appreciation of the environment and best environmental
practices.
For more information click here www.ehsni.gov.uk/
Joint Nature Conservation Committee
The JNCC is the UK Government’s wildlife adviser, undertaking
national and international conservation work on behalf of the three
country nature conservation agencies English Nature, Scottish
Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales.
For more information visit www.jncc.gov.uk