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
Changes to Defra burning regulations accepted
Following intervention from BASC, Defra has included scientific research as a licensable aspect of the new burning regulations in England.
Scottish election: manifesto analysis
Ahead of the Scottish elections on 6 May, Ross Ewing breaks down the party manifestos to expose how their policies will affect shooting and conservation.
BASC accuses RSPB of exploiting Northern Ireland wildfire
The RSPB have used the recent wildfire in Northern Ireland’s Mourne mountains as a platform to call for a ban on controlled burning.