As we enter 2020, BPCA Technical Officer Natalie Bungay gives a brief overview of the current status of bird licences for pest management across the UK.

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all have different ‘general licences’ for the control of birds.

England, Wales and Scotland have already made changes or have announced intended changes for 2019/2020.

Species and reasons for control differ slightly from country to country, so you must be familiar with all the areas in which you operate and their licence conditions.

Your governing authority for these licences will have full copies for you to download and read: it is important that you do this, as it is a legal requirement.

Any changes to these licences will be widely advertised and we will do our best to keep you up-to-date.

England licences
gov.uk/government/collections/general-licences-for-wildlife-management

Scotland licences
nature.scot/professional-advice/safeguarding-protected-areas-and-species/licensing/species-licensing-z-guide/birds-and-licensing/general-licences-birds

Wales licences
cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk/permits-and-permissions/species-licensing/uk-protected-species-licensing/general-licences-for-birds-2020

Northern Ireland licences
daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/wildlife-licensing 

Got a burning question?

Are you a member with a question you'd like to put to our technical team? Get in touch.

technical@bpca.org.uk