GCN are fully protected by UK and European legislation. GCN are listed as a European Protected Species under Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2017). UK legislation protecting GCN includes the Wildlife & Countryside Act (as Amended) 1981: Schedule 5, the EC Habitats Directive 1992: annex 11 and 1V, the Conservation (Natural Habitats etc.) Regulations 1994: Schedule 2, and the Countryside Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW 2000). GCN are also listed as a rare and most threatened species under Section 41 of Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (2006).