BASC takes action to intervene in Welsh pest control challenge
22nd April 2020
BASC has been given no choice but to seek to involve itself in court proceedings.
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:
Important changes to stoat trapping
1st April 2020
BASC appreciates the positive engagement of Defra and Natural England to help deliver a workable licence.
BASC urges Wild Justice to step back from ‘disgraceful’ legal challenge
19th March 2020
“Wholly inappropriate” of Wild Justice when the people of Wales are “panicking about their lives and livelihoods”.
General licences – The beginning and why we need them
4th March 2020
BASC’s head of biodiversity Ian Danby outlines the history of general licences and what BASC is doing to combat current issues.
Welsh government agency states general licences are lawful
3rd March 2020
Natural Resources Wales’ commitment provides users with the confidence that they are undertaking essential pest control legally.
English general licence extension ‘relief’
13th February 2020
Extension allows the countryside to operate as normal at a crucial time of year.
BASC takes action to intervene in Welsh pest control challenge
22nd April 2020
BASC has been given no choice but to seek to involve itself in court proceedings.
Important changes to stoat trapping
1st April 2020
BASC appreciates the positive engagement of Defra and Natural England to help deliver a workable licence.
BASC urges Wild Justice to step back from ‘disgraceful’ legal challenge
19th March 2020
“Wholly inappropriate” of Wild Justice when the people of Wales are “panicking about their lives and livelihoods”.
General licences – The beginning and why we need them
4th March 2020
BASC’s head of biodiversity Ian Danby outlines the history of general licences and what BASC is doing to combat current issues.
Welsh government agency states general licences are lawful
3rd March 2020
Natural Resources Wales’ commitment provides users with the confidence that they are undertaking essential pest control legally.
English general licence extension ‘relief’
13th February 2020
Extension allows the countryside to operate as normal at a crucial time of year.
