Significant changes to Northern Ireland General Licences
4th January 2023
The new set of interim General Licences announced by DAERA will run from 1 January 2023 until the end of February 2023.
General licences
Latest updates
General licences are issued by government agencies to provide a legal basis for people to carry out a range of activities relating to wildlife. By definition you do not need to apply for general licences but you are required by law to abide by their terms and conditions.
General licences are renewed annually in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. These general licences are made available on the websites of the relevant government agencies (such as Defra in England). They include licences relevant to the all year round control of ‘pest birds’ such as carrion and hooded crows, magpies and woodpigeon.
Control methods allowed under general licence may include shooting; the destruction of eggs and nests; and the use of cage traps such as larsen traps, larsen mates and multi-catch traps.
Where there is a need to manage or control wildlife and such activity is not covered by a relevant general licence then an individual or specific licence may be applied for. These are issued by the relevant government agency in each country.
Click below to find out the information related to the area you carry out pest control in:
General Licences 2023
22nd December 2022
Read our update on general licences in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland for 2023.
General Licences – Northern Ireland
19th October 2022
Following the consultation undertaken by the Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in the summer, the department have issued new general licences, which are valid from 17 October 2022 and remain in force until 31 December 2022.
Conditions to remain the same as GL43 is renewed
31st May 2022
BASC is advising members that there are no substantial changes to the conditions of the new licence, although there is additional clarification around the consenting process.
NRW commits to removing “discriminatory” general licences age restriction
30th May 2022
The condition would impact young and future farmers, conservationists and pest controllers who require general licences in work and training.
Natural England improves on gamebird licensing service
11th March 2022
Natural England has confirmed its Gamebird Advice Service will open by the end of March and run through until late Autumn.
Significant changes to Northern Ireland General Licences
4th January 2023
The new set of interim General Licences announced by DAERA will run from 1 January 2023 until the end of February 2023.
General Licences 2023
22nd December 2022
Read our update on general licences in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland for 2023.
General Licences – Northern Ireland
19th October 2022
Following the consultation undertaken by the Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in the summer, the department have issued new general licences, which are valid from 17 October 2022 and remain in force until 31 December 2022.
Conditions to remain the same as GL43 is renewed
31st May 2022
BASC is advising members that there are no substantial changes to the conditions of the new licence, although there is additional clarification around the consenting process.
NRW commits to removing “discriminatory” general licences age restriction
30th May 2022
The condition would impact young and future farmers, conservationists and pest controllers who require general licences in work and training.
Natural England improves on gamebird licensing service
11th March 2022
Natural England has confirmed its Gamebird Advice Service will open by the end of March and run through until late Autumn.
