Letters
NEW LICENCE USE
Defra’s reissuing of workable General Licences for pest bird control in England was driven not least by excellent joint working between our organisations. In order to keep the new licences in place, however, it is essential that everyone who uses them, whether to control woodpigeons, crows or any other species, does so correctly.
The three new licences ‘to kill or take wild birds’ can be accessed on the gov.uk website and are numbered: GL34, for conservation purposes; GL35, for public health and safety; and GL36, for preventing serious damage. They are detailed documents and each is slightly different; for example, the list of species covered varies between them. Nor do the new General Licences apply in European protected sites or within 300 metres of them. In these areas (SPAs, SACs and Ramsar sites) an individual licence must be held.
It is a legal requirement that anyone relying on a General Licence must follow its terms and conditions. Failure to do so could lead to a wildlife offence being committed, carrying a six-month prison term and an unlimited fine.
We thereforereaders to download any licence on which they intend to rely and to make sure they know what it allows and how bird control must be carried out. Even saying the wrong thing if questioned could result in prosecution and perhaps risk the continued existence of these essential tools for countryside management. Our organisations can provide further advice if required.
