Guidance on Invasive Species Published for England and Wales

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has published guidance on the rules for invasive non-native species in England and Wales.

The rules cover what you need to do if you find, own or look after a listed invasive non-native animal in England and Wales, or if you keep, grow, find or sell certain invasive plant species.

There are 30 species of invasive non-native animal and 36 species of invasive alien plants that are listed as of concern to the EU and so have strict laws around their ownership, release and breeding. Following the end of the transition period of the UK’s exit from the EU, these laws will still apply as they have been retained.