Natural England - EPS best practice guidance
EPS best practice guidance
On this page:
- Best practice to avoid committing an offence under the Regulations
- Disturbance and protected species understanding and applying the law in England and Wales
- Best practice guidance for land managers
- Bats in dwelling houses
- Bats - householders & batworkers - guidance
- Forestry best practice – where to get advice
- Marine best practice where to get advice
Best practice to avoid committing an offence under the Regulations
People working in the agriculture, forestry and marine sectors are offered a range of best practice guidance material to minimise the risks of committing an offence under the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994 as amended in 2007 
. For general guidance to land managers and specific guidance on the legislation and particular European protected animals please see our guidance documents below. For forestry and marine sectors please the appropriate sections.
Disturbance and protected species understanding and applying the law in England and Wales
Following the 2007 amendments a document was launched by Natural England to give further guidance on disturbance. Disturbance and protected species: understanding and applying the law in England and Wales .
Best practice guidance for land managers
General guidance
Disturbance: interpreting the legislation
Great crested newts
Dormice SIN005
Otters SIN006
Smooth snakes SIN007
Sand lizards SIN008
Natterjack toads SIN009
Bats SIN010
Bats in dwelling houses
If you have a concern such as bats in your loft space download the guidance or contact your local batline service for advice. Alternatively you may wish to find information from the Bat Conservation Trust website.
Bats - householders & batworkers - guidance
Guidance for householders
Batworkers Manual (JNCC)
Focus on bats (general information on bats)
Bats in churches: a management guide (Natural England and English Heritage) TIN043
Bats and human health
Remedial timber treatment products suitable for use in bat roosts
Forestry best practice - where to get advice
Woodland managers can obtain information, best practice guidance from the Forestry Commission or by telephone 0845 3673787 (0845 FORESTS).
Marine species best practice – where to get advice
If you have a query about a marine European protected species issue (as protected under the Offshore Marine Conservation Regulations 2007) please contact JNCC on 01224 655701 or 655716 or 655718 for guidance. The JNCC's Interim guidance on interpreting the deliberate disturbance offence with regards to marine European Protected Species (cetaceans, turtles and sturgeon) for English and Welsh territorial waters and the UK offshore marine area is now online.