General Licences - Wales
Welsh general licences
Rook and collared dove
You may not kill or take rooks or collared doves under the new Welsh general licences.
If you need to kill or take rooks or collared doves you will need to apply for an individual licence from NRW. If you are a BASC member and need advice on applying for an individual licence please email our game and gundogs team or call 01244 573 019.
Protected sites
The new general licences are not valid in, or within 300 metres of, 203 protected sites in Wales. In addition, for one protected site – the Dyfi Estuary SSSI – general licences are not valid within 500 metres of the site boundary. A list of protected sites where the new general licences are not valid can be found in an Annex at the end of each of the general licences.
If you need to carry out pest bird control within any of the listed protected sites you will need to apply for an individual licence from NRW. If you are a BASC member and need advice on applying for an individual licence please email our game and gundogs team or call 01244 573 019.
GL001 – Prevention of serious damage to crops and livestock (valid from 1 January)
This general licence is for the revised purpose of preventing serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables or fruit, or to prevent the spread of disease to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables or fruit.
It authorises the killing or taking of Canada goose, carrion crow, jackdaw, feral pigeon, magpie and wood pigeon. This includes damaging or destroying their nests and taking or destroying their eggs. It also authorises the use of carrion crow, jackdaw and magpie as decoys in cage traps.
Click here for more information on GL001 – Prevention of serious damage to crops and livestock.
GL002 – Preservation of public health (valid from 1 January)
This general licence is for the purpose of preserving public health and preventing the spread of disease.
It authorises the killing or taking of feral pigeon. This includes damaging or destroying their nests and taking or destroying their eggs. It also authorises the use of any device for illuminating a target or any sighting device for night shooting; the use of any form of artificial lighting or any mirror or other dazzling device; or of any hand held or hand propelled net to take birds whilst not in flight.
Click here for information on GL002 – Preservation of public health.
GL004 – Conservation of wild birds (valid from 1 January)
This general licence is for the revised purpose of conserving wild birds.
It authorises the killing or taking of carrion crow, jackdaw, jay and magpie. This includes damaging or destroying their nests and taking or destroying their eggs. It also authorises the use of carrion crow, jackdaw, jay and magpie as decoys in cage traps.
The above control methods are authorised to conserve only the chicks and eggs of bird species listed in Annex 1 of the licence.
Click here more information on GL004 – Conservation of wild birds
Latest press releases – Wales general licences
BASC urges Wild Justice to step back from ‘disgraceful’ legal challenge
“Wholly inappropriate” of Wild Justice when the people of Wales are “panicking about their lives and livelihoods”.
Welsh government agency states general licences are lawful
Natural Resources Wales’ commitment provides users with the confidence that they are undertaking essential pest control legally.
BASC issues general licence update
Association highlights contact with government and pledges to be part of any legal challenge.