An age-discriminating condition on a draft set of Welsh general licences has been thwarted by BASC.
The alarm was first raised when the licences, published in draft earlier this month by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), included a condition that those under the age of 18 years were unable to rely on the general licences to undertake essential pest control.
The condition would impact young and future farmers, conservationists and pest controllers who require the use of general licences in work and training.
Following discussions with NRW, BASC has received verbal assurances that there will be no reference to age limits when the general licences for Wales are issued on 1st July.
Speaking on the topic, BASC Wales director Steve Griffiths said: “Although we await the change to be made on paper, NRW’s verbal commitment to remove this discriminatory and unnecessary age restriction is welcome news.
“BASC continues to work towards a licensing system that is effective and workable for our members and those who require its use.”
BASC remains concerned with the draft general licences, in particular NRW’s policy decision to remove magpies, jays and jackdaws from the licence for conservation purposes (GL004).
BASC is currently seeking legal advice and will be updating members in due course.
BASC has been granted permission by the High Court to bring a judicial review of Defra’s decision to withdraw GL43, the general licence that allowed gamebird release in certain areas of England.
BASC has met with the Chief Constable for Dyfed Powys to raise member issues with the police force’s firearms licensing department.
BASC is considering legal action to challenge the potential licensing of gamebird releasing in Wales from 2025.
Sign up to our weekly newsletter and get all the latest updates straight to your inbox.
© 2025 British Association for Shooting and Conservation. Registered Office: Marford Mill, Rossett, Wrexham, LL12 0HL – Registered Society No: 28488R. BASC is a trading name of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm reference number 311937.
BASC Direct Ltd is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Agria Pet Insurance Ltd who administer the insurance and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Services Register Number 496160. Agria Pet Insurance is registered and incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 04258783. Registered office: First Floor, Blue Leanie, Walton Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP21 7QW. Agria insurance policies are underwritten by Agria Försäkring.
If you have any questions or complaints about your BASC membership insurance cover, please email us. More information about resolving complaints can be found on the FCA website or on the EU ODR platform.
