Pest and Predator Control
About Pest Control
Legislation affecting pest and predator control in the UK may differ for the same species depending on whether it occurs in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. BASC produces codes of practice to set the standards for sporting shooting and related wildlife management activities.
General licences for pest and predator control
General licences are issued by government agencies to provide a legal basis for people to carry out a range of activities relating to wildlife.
The general licences relevant to pest birds are issued on the basis of one or more purposes (prevent damage to crops, conservation of wild birds, preserve public health etc). They include a list of bird species for which that purpose is a valid reason for pest and predator control to be taken.
The latest update on General Licences
News

Southern curlew crisis aided by WHCT grant
The Wildlife Habitat Charitable Trust has awarded a £75k grant to the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust to help combat the curlew crisis in Southern England.

UK firearms licensing is a postcode lottery
BASC has published its 2020 firearms licensing league table, highlighting a stark lack of consistency across police forces in England and Wales.

Senedd election platform amplifies shooting’s voice
BASC has launched an online election platform to allow members to make direct contact with their local parliamentary candidates ahead of the Senedd elections on 6 May.