Protected areas and species

Brexit impact

11 pm (GMT) on 31 December 2020 marks the end of the Brexit transition/implementation period entered into following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. At this point in time (referred to in UK law as ‘IP completion day’), key transitional arrangements come to an end and significant changes begin to take effect across the UK’s legal regime. Any changes relevant to this content will be set out below.

For further guidance, see Practice Note: Brexit—impact on environmental law and News Analysis: Brexit Bulletin—key updates, research tips and resources.

Protected Areas

Designated areas

Many areas with distinctive plants, animals, habitats, geology or landforms are protected at the international, European, national and local level. Some habitats have been identified as needing priority conservation action.

Site protection by designation is for the preservation and protection of valued species and habitats.

Sites can be designated under EU or national law and designation can be cumulative. EU designated sites are Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and form part of the Natura 2000 network. Sites which are protected at an international level include Ramsar

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