Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016

A nomination by any person for listing species or ecological communities must—

be made in writing to the Scientific Committee, and

include any information required by the Scientific Committee.

The Scientific Committee may request the person making the nomination to provide additional information about the nomination before it deals with the nomination.

The Scientific Committee, with the concurrence of the Environment Agency Head, may provide guidance on the making of nominations, including on the themes for listing classes of animals or plants to fill gaps in current listings.

The Scientific Committee is to give notice of a duly made nomination to the Environment Agency Head within 14 days after the nomination is provided to members of the Scientific Committee.

The Scientific Committee may consider different nominations about the same subject together.

The Scientific Committee may reject a nomination if—

the subject of the nomination has already been dealt with, or

the nomination is vexatious, or

the information required to be included in the nomination, or which is requested by the Scientific Committee, is not included or provided or is not considered to be adequate.

If the Scientific Committee rejects a nomination, it is to notify the Environment Agency Head and the person who made the nomination and is to give reasons for the rejection.