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Invasive non-native species

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What are invasive non-native species (INNS)?

Non-native species (NNS) are plants and animals which have been introduced (accidentally or deliberately) outside of their native range through human activity. 

Many non-native species contribute positively to our lives, as livestock, crops, timber, garden plants or pets. However, a small proportion (10-15%) of non-native species spread rapidly and cause damage to the environment, economy or human health; these species are known as invasive non-native species (INNS).
 
INNS are recognised worldwide as one of the top drivers of biodiversity loss. 

The law on non-native species

In Scotland, all non-native species are covered by Section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended by the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011). 

The Act makes it 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 

You can find out whether a plant or animal is outwith its native range on this NatureScot webpage. 

Habitat responsibility

Under the Scottish Government Non-native species Code of Practice, relevant organisations have a role as habitat leads: 

  • NatureScot - All terrestrial and wetland habitats and any others not detailed below 
  • Scottish Government Marine Directorate - The marine environment 
  • Scottish Forestry - Woodland and other habitats managed by Forestry and Land Scotland (the national forest estate) 
  • SEPA - Freshwater (still and flowing waters) 

NatureScot is the overall lead body, and all named organisations have a range of specific responsibilities relevant to their particular habitat that include:

  • being a point of contact for species within the habitat
  • determine what the strategic priorities are for that habitat type
  • ensure an appropriate strategy is delivered for these priorities, e.g. public awareness raising, the "do-nothing" option, containment, biosecurity measures, eradication etc. This will, in many situations, mean encouraging or coordinating action by other groups or bodies
  • maintain a dialogue and work with partners to deliver these priorities
  • consider prevention measures such as management of high-risk pathways into and within the habitat e.g. through regulation, raising public awareness etc.
  • determine the suitability and necessity of control work undertaken within the habitat. Control action must be technically and financially feasible, humane and safe, and proportionate to the level of threat.

All of these organisations have a discretionary power to enter into Species Control Agreements or Species Control Orders to require action to be taken, or an activity stopped, to prevent the spread of INNS. 

INNS in regulated activities

Appropriate measures should be put in place for any operation that could pose a risk of introducing, transferring or spreading INNS. Biosecurity requirements and other guidance is provided in EASR Guidance: Invasive Non-Native Species (EASR-G-001). This includes: 

  • Avoiding the introduction, movement and spread of INNS on and off site. 
  • Disposal of invasive non-native plants and associated soils. 
  • Water transfers. 
  • Alteration of structures which could risk introduction, transfer or spread of INNS. 
  • In-water removal of Pink Salmon spawning redds. 

Specific guidance on the use of pesticides to control INNS and other plants near to, or in, water is also available: 

Species licensing enquiries

If you would like to release an animal or plant anything in the wild, or your activity risks spreading anything into the wild then you need to make sure that the area it will be spread into is within its native range.

For release of most non-native species, contact the NatureScot licensing team.

For release of freshwater fish, check the Scottish Government Marine Directorate guidance.

Planting schemes

The Be Plant Wise campaign is aimed at gardeners and pond owners but provides useful information on managing a pond to avoid harmful invasive plants that can also be used when designing aquatic planting schemes for amenity and Sustainable Drainage system (SuDS) ponds.