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Ponds
There are three areas of the law that relate to garden ponds.
These are as follows:
You should always get permission from any pond-owner should you
intend to transfer species between ponds. Movement of some
species, if protected or considered damaging to native wildlife,
is illegal under the
.
Transferring fish and some amphibians may also require a licence
or consent. Seek advice at every opportunity from the
Environment Agency,
Natural England,
Countryside Council for
Wales or Scottish Natural Heritage. Generally, Froglife
does not recommend moving things between ponds unless absolutely
necessary as you risk accidentally spreading various invasive
plants and diseases.
If you have a pond and are moving house, ask the new occupiers
if they plan to remove the pond. If this is the case and you
have concerns about this process, or if you're considering
filling in your own pond (e.g. due to safety concerns), then ask
someone with a garden pond whether they are willing to accept
stock. If possible, movements should not be over one mile away.
Animals should never be released onto a nature reserve or public
place without consent. Release of animals in an unauthorised
place could make you liable for prosecution under the
. If the
pond in question contains great crested newts then seek advice
from Natural England (or other relevant body) as this species
and its habitats are protected by law (Wildlife and Countryside
Act 1981).
The release of non-native animals into the wild in the UK is
against the law under the
. For pond species this includes pet turtles and
terrapins, such as the red-eared terrapin, and amphibians like
the North American bullfrog. If you come across exotic species
contact the
RSPCA or
report your sighting. Laws relating to release of non-native
plants are currently more lax, however, we urge the public to be
extra vigilant and discourage the purchasing or movement of
non-native or hybrid plant species.
Native
amphibians and reptiles.
Amphibian disease.
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