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For each of its National Nature Reserves, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has a management plan that describes the site and its interests, the prevailing pressures including any Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS), and outlines SNH’s planned actions for a period of 10 years. SNH generally does not produce specific INNS plans though it may do so for specific projects. Resourcing of reserve management identified in these plans is subject to the setting of annual priorities in line with its Corporate Plan and business plans.

In its ‘Making Connections-Year 1’ business plan, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) indicates a planned reduction across the organisation of 1,460 days for its Managing Nature Reserves Activity, which includes the management of its 30 nature reserves with the National Nature Reserve accolade. SNH continues to prioritise the use of its resources in line with its Corporate Plan and business plans.

Details of the National Nature Reserves owned by Scottish Natural Heritage and their area, with information on management responsibility and tenure, are provided in the following table.

Prior to approving the de-declaration of a National Nature Reserve (NNR) following a recommendation by Scotland’s NNR Partnership and the approval of the Board of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), SNH requires the assurance of the relevant Director (and ultimately, SNH’s Chief Executive) that any necessary conservation measures are in place, or will replace those provided by NNR-related arrangements. In some cases, where an SNH NNR has been on land leased from another public body, that body assumes management responsibility under the requirements of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004.

‘De-listed’ is not a formal event recorded by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). Instead, the information in the following table is based on the dates of statutory de-declaration when SNH formally withdrew the National Nature Reserve accolade.

Building on the findings from the recent report by the Roundtable on Environment and Climate Change (published 1 June 2018), and in line with the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Legal Continuity) (Scotland) Bill, the Scottish Government will consult later this year on proposals to ensure that there continues to be effective and appropriate governance relating to the environment following the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

As set out in the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Legal Continuity) (Scotland) Bill, the Scottish Government will publish a consultation later this year on how regard is to be had to the guiding principles on the environment by Scottish Ministers in: (i) developing policies (including proposals for legislation), and (ii) determining how to exercise any of their functions; and by any other Scottish public authority in determining how to exercise any of its functions.

The Scottish Government welcomes the devolution of the powers to issue and manage onshore oil and gas licences to Scotland in February 2018.

The powers transferred to Scotland through sections 47 to 49 of the Scotland Act 2016, and related subordinate legislation, provide Scottish Ministers with a wide range of powers over the administration of onshore oil and gas licences.

The Scottish Government is aware of the pending expiry of PEDL 162. It would be inappropriate to comment in respect of the future of the licence at this stage.

The primary purpose of imposing restrictions on the use of General Licences is to more effectively regulate the activities of land managers where Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has reason to have lost trust or confidence in the way those activities are carried out. Decisions are based on robust evidence provided by Police Scotland.

There are no plans for the Partnership Against Wildlife Crime Scotland (PAWS) Executive Group to review this approach. However, SNH is planning to review the framework for implementing General Licence restrictions to consider whether evidence from satellite tags can be taken into account when considering whether to impose a restriction. SNH will consult with PAWS partners and others as part of its review.