BASC briefing document on general licences
2nd May 2019
New briefing document gives MPs and the rural community the facts on general licences.
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:
BASC produces critique of “unworkable” crow licence
2nd May 2019
New plan of action from NE needed “urgently”.
BASC highlights importance of woodpigeon control to Natural England
1st May 2019
Two-page document highlights the necessity of woodpigeon control.
BASC chief executive gives latest update on general licences
30th April 2019
Ian Bell has reassured members that the hard work is continuing in a bid to bring more clarity to the current general licence situation.
BASC condemns threats made to Chris Packham
30th April 2019
“The sort of behaviour and threats described by Packham does not help anyone’s cause and must stop.”
BASC responds to revocation of general licences
23rd April 2019
BASC feels Natural England decision unnecessarily puts people at risk of unwittingly falling foul of the law.
BASC briefing document on general licences
2nd May 2019
New briefing document gives MPs and the rural community the facts on general licences.
BASC produces critique of “unworkable” crow licence
2nd May 2019
New plan of action from NE needed “urgently”.
BASC highlights importance of woodpigeon control to Natural England
1st May 2019
Two-page document highlights the necessity of woodpigeon control.
BASC chief executive gives latest update on general licences
30th April 2019
Ian Bell has reassured members that the hard work is continuing in a bid to bring more clarity to the current general licence situation.
BASC condemns threats made to Chris Packham
30th April 2019
“The sort of behaviour and threats described by Packham does not help anyone’s cause and must stop.”
BASC responds to revocation of general licences
23rd April 2019
BASC feels Natural England decision unnecessarily puts people at risk of unwittingly falling foul of the law.
