NatureScot responsibilities and other organisations
We are Scotland’s nature agency. We work to improve our natural environment in Scotland and inspire everyone to care more about it.
So that all nature in Scotland – our biodiversity, geodiversity and the natural elements of our landscapes and seascapes - is maintained, enhanced and brings us benefits.
It is the job of all of us to achieve a balance in the sensitive management of our natural world in order to maintain and enhance nature.
Before you submit your enquiry please check below to see if we are the right organisation to help you with it, or see the relevant information on our website by using our 'search' facility.
Different organisations all have different areas of responsibility. To assist you we have put together a basic guide to what each organisation does. This is not intended as a detailed breakdown of legal duties.
If you cannot find what you require, please return to our Contact us page.
Your local authority
- Access rights and obstructions
- Aquaculture works licences (Orkney and Shetland only)
- Checking private drinking water supplies
- Cleaning up fly-tipping (in some cases)
- Coastal protection
- Contaminated land
- identifying sites
- arranging for sites to be cleaned up - Dog fouling and noise
- Environmental health
- Flooding
- Litter, public health and facilities at beaches
- Nature conservation (through local biodiversity action plans)
- Pest control
- Planning permission
- Road obstructions
- Smoke and smell
- Waste
Your local Police
- Wildlife crime
- Abandoned vehicles
- Road obstructions
Scottish Canals
- Canals
Crown Estate Scotland
- Development consent for fish farms (special arrangements exist in Orkney and Shetland)
Drinking Water Quality Regulator
- Drinking water quality
Environment and Heritage Service
- Environmental issues in Northern Ireland
Environment Agency
- Environmental issues in England and Wales
Fish Health Inspectorate (part of Fisheries Research Service)
- Fish health
Marine and fisheries Scotland
Historic Environment Scotland
- Built environment
Marine Coastguard Agency
- Pollution from shipping and offshore installations
Natural Resources Wales
- Environmental issues in Wales
Scottish Government
- Legislation and policy for the environment in Scotland
- Navigational consent for fish farms
- Genetically modified organisms
- Environmental legislation and initiatives in areas including sustainable development and rural policy
- Guiding delegated agencies in delivering objectives
- Liaising with UK government and EC on wider environmental policies
NatureScot
- Conservation (including Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Special Areas of Conservation etc.)
- Outdoor access - promoting code of practice
- Species translocations and reintroductions
Scottish Water
- Quality and supply of public drinking water
- Disposing of and treating sewage
- Flooding from sewers
- Emptying septic tanks (some private businesses also offer this service)
National Grid
- Gas leaks
UK Government
UK Government
- Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
– Legislation and policy in England and Wales - Department of Business Skills and Innovation
– Offshore oil and gas industry (except for radioactivity)
– Coastal pollution from offshore installations - Department for Transport
– Shipping
– Transport of radioactive waste - Veterinary Medicines Directorate
– Assuring the safety, quality and effectiveness of veterinary medicines
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