Non Native Species - General Licence GL-NNS - To release non-native species outwith its native range
General Licence GL-NNS - To release certain non-native species outwith their native range for use in the control of crop pests and diseases
This General Licence allows authorised people to carry out activities that would otherwise be illegal under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).
General Licence GL/NNS permits the use of biological control agents for use in the control of crop pests and diseases, listed in ‘Annex 1 – Table of approved Species’. These species have been demonstrated to pose no significant threat to native species and the environment.
Terms and Conditions
If you operate under General Licence GL/NNS you must meet the following terms and conditions, otherwise your actions may be illegal, which could lead to prosecution.
What can this General Licence be used for?
Section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) makes it an offence to release a non-native species, or to allow it to escape into the wild in Scotland. This licence is granted by NatureScot under Section 16(4)(c) of the Act for the use of products containing non-native species listed in Annex 1 for the control of crop pests and diseases in Scotland.
Is an application required to use this General Licence?
Users of products containing species listed in Annex 1 do not need to fill in an application form.
Producers who wish to supply products containing non-native species not listed in Annex 1, for the control of crop pests and diseases, that would eventually lead to the release of non-native species in Scotland, can apply to have the new species registered and listed on Annex 1 by completing an application form.
Who is authorised to use this General Licence?
Users of products containing approved species listed in Annex 1 of this General Licence.
What is an approved species?
Approved species have been assessed to ensure that they pose no significant threat to native species or the environment.
When and where is this General Licence valid?
Across Scotland from the date added for each species.
Is there a reporting requirement for users of this General Licence?
Producers utilising species listed in Annex 1 of this licence in their products must provide us with an annual return form which specifies:
- The product name and formulation:
- The species from Annex 1 contained in the product
- The number of units, and quantity and volume of each unit of the approved product sold or supplied;
- Whether there are any changes to the product name and formulation.
- Whether there are any changes in the information provided in your application form and if so, what these changes are. If there are no changes to the information supplied in your application, please confirm this.
Please send this information (including your company name and product name in the subject line of the email) to: licensing@nature.scot. Failure to provide a licence return could mean your species will be removed from the Annex.
Notes
1. This licence only exempts the relevant legal provisions in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended.
2. This licence is granted subject to compliance with the conditions as specified. Anything done otherwise than in accordance with the terms of this licence may constitute an offence.
3. This licence may be modified or revoked at any time by NatureScot.
4. These approvals are only for the safe release of the species into the wild. NatureScot are not liable for any damage which occurs due to the use of these products.
| Species | Date added |
|---|---|
| Amblydromalus limonicus | 18/03/2019 |
| Amblyseius andersoni | 10/03/2021 |
| Amblyseius swirksii | 18/03/2019 |
| Anagyrus vladimiri | 13/02/2025 |
| Aphelinus abdominalis | 09/02/2021 |
| Aphidius colemani | 19/08/2019 |
| Aphidius matricariae | 19/02/2021 |
| Aprostocetus hagenowii | 21/08/2020 |
| Cryptolaemus montrouzieri | 18/03/2019 |
| Delphastus catalinae | 10/03/2021 |
| Encarsia citrina | 10/02/2022 |
| Encarsia formosa | 18/03/2019 |
| Ephedrus cerasicola | 09/02/2021 |
| Eretmocerus eremicus | 18/03/2019 |
| Feltiella acarisuga | 10/02/2021 |
| Heterorhabditis bacteriophora | 18/03/2019 |
| Macrocheles robustulus | 19/02/2021 |
| Macrolophus pygmaeus | 18/03/2019 |
| Micromus angulatus | 03/05/2022 |
| Neoseiulus cucumeris (Amblyseius cucumeris) | 19/08/2019 |
| Orius laevigatus | 09/02/2021 |
| Phasmarhabditis californica | 21/04/2020 |
| Phytoseiulus persimilis | 18/03/2019 |
| Praon volucre | 09/02/2021 |
| Rhizophagus grandis | 18/03/2019 |
| Rhyzobius lophanthae | 08/03/2024 |
| Steinernema carpocapsae | 18/03/2019 |
| Stenopelmus rufinasus | 15/05/2019 |
| Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Hypoaspis Miles) | 19/02/2021 |
| Steinernema feltiae | 06/02/2024 |
| Steinernema kraussei | 06/02/2024 |
| Transeius montdorensis | 18/03/2019 |
Published: March 2024
Last updated:
Contacts
If you already have a licence number, include it in the subject line of your email, or have it to hand when you call.
