Time to bring back the Pest Birds List?
15th February 2022
BASC’s Dr Conor O’Gorman shares his thoughts on going back-to-basics for the lawful control of pest birds.
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:
Northern Ireland to consult on general licences
17th December 2021
DAERA is to revoke existing general licences in Northern Ireland, replacing with interim licences prior to launching a public consultation.
General and individual licence update for England
22nd January 2021
BASC review changes to the licensing as NE launch pre-screening system in an attempt to improve the individual licence process
BASC hails High Court decision as a victory for the countryside
18th January 2021
Significant win in the courts as judge rejects Wild Justice’s claim on general licences.
Scotland’s general licences ‘largely unchanged’ in 2021, says BASC
21st December 2020
BASC has welcomed the publication of Scotland’s latest general licences, which will come into force on the 1st January 2021.
Answer NRW’s call for evidence on wild bird licensing says BASC
2nd December 2020
BASC will be providing a wide range of information to this review on behalf of members but it is vital that anyone who is able to provide evidence of their own does so.
Time to bring back the Pest Birds List?
15th February 2022
BASC’s Dr Conor O’Gorman shares his thoughts on going back-to-basics for the lawful control of pest birds.
Northern Ireland to consult on general licences
17th December 2021
DAERA is to revoke existing general licences in Northern Ireland, replacing with interim licences prior to launching a public consultation.
General and individual licence update for England
22nd January 2021
BASC review changes to the licensing as NE launch pre-screening system in an attempt to improve the individual licence process
BASC hails High Court decision as a victory for the countryside
18th January 2021
Significant win in the courts as judge rejects Wild Justice’s claim on general licences.
Scotland’s general licences ‘largely unchanged’ in 2021, says BASC
21st December 2020
BASC has welcomed the publication of Scotland’s latest general licences, which will come into force on the 1st January 2021.
Answer NRW’s call for evidence on wild bird licensing says BASC
2nd December 2020
BASC will be providing a wide range of information to this review on behalf of members but it is vital that anyone who is able to provide evidence of their own does so.
