This section of the website is aimed at providing a layman's introduction to the legal protection offered to butterflies in the UK. Of course, many enthusiasts also respect these wonderful creatures beyond the protection offered to them by law. For more information on wildlife (in general) and the law, there is an excellent overview on the Buglife website. Butterflies are protected by a number of acts. The most significant of these is the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
This act is divided into a number of "schedules" and Schedule 5 lists animals (other than birds) that qualify for protection. Schedule 5 is revised every five years. The butterflies in Schedule 5, and their level of protection, is given below. As far as butterflies are concerned, this act applies to wild, rather than captive-bred, individuals.
The table below lists those species that have full protection.
Butterfly | Year Scheduled |
---|---|
Heath Fritillary | 1992 |
High Brown Fritillary | 1992 |
Large Blue | 2007 |
Large Copper | 1992 |
Marsh Fritillary | 1998 |
Swallowtail | 1992 |
"Full protection" is defined as all of the following parts of the act.
Section | Part | Description |
---|---|---|
9 | 1 | Intentional killing, injuring, taking. |
9 | 2 | Possession or control (live or dead animal, part or derivative). |
9 | 4(a) | Damage to or destruction of any structure or place used by a scheduled animal for shelter or protection. |
9 | 4(b) | Disturbance of any animal occupying such a structure or place. |
9 | 4(c) | Obstructed access to any such structure or place. |
9 | 5(a) | Selling, offering for sale, possessing or transporting for the purpose of sale (live or dead animal, part or derivative). |
9 | 5(b) | Advertising for buying or selling live or dead animal, part or derivative. |
The table below lists those species that have partial protection; they are protected by Section 9, Parts 5(a) and 5(b) and, as such, are characterised as being protected for "Sale only".
Butterfly | Year Scheduled |
---|---|
Adonis Blue | 1989 |
Black Hairstreak | 1989 |
Brown Hairstreak | 1989 |
Chalkhill Blue | 1989 |
Chequered Skipper | 1989 |
Duke of Burgundy | 1989 |
Glanville Fritillary | 1989 |
Large Heath | 1989 |
Large Tortoiseshell | 1989 |
Lulworth Skipper | 1989 |
Mountain Ringlet | 1989 |
Northern Brown Argus | 1989 |
Pearl-Bordered Fritillary | 1989 |
Purple Emperor | 1989 |
Silver-Spotted Skipper | 1989 |
Silver-Studded Blue | 1989 |
Small Blue | 1989 |
White-Letter Hairstreak | 1989 |
Wood White | 1989 |
There are certain exemptions to the to the act which are relevant when:
The Wildlife and Countryside Act doesn't apply in Northern Ireland. However, protection is afforded by the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. With regard to the protection of species, this is very similar to the Wildlife and Countryside Act. The butterflies receiving full protection through this act are shown below:
Butterfly | Year Scheduled |
---|---|
Brimstone | 1985 |
Dingy Skipper | 1985 |
Holly Blue | 1985 |
Large Heath | 1985 |
Marsh Fritillary | 1985 |
Purple Hairsteak | 1985 |
Small Blue | 1985 |
There are 2 international statutes that apply to species in the UK. These are:
These statutes apply to the following species:
Butterfly | CNH | CEC |
---|---|---|
Large Blue | Yes | Yes |
Large Copper | Yes | Yes |
Marsh Fritillary | Yes | Yes |