Mar

Bird Control Licences - What's changed for 2012?

Nuisance birds on telegraph pole

Bird control licences for the UK (issued under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981) are reissued each year, generally on 1st January. Although there have been no considerable changes this year, it is always important to stay up to date with changes in legislation and licensing when embarking on bird management activities.

A licence is required by anyone who wishes to carry out an activity that is prohibited under wildlife legislation. For example: licences to kill or take certain protected species; licences to carry out surveys or conservation work; licences to disturb or damage the habitat of certain strictly protected species; licences to possess of keep certain wildlife.

So here's a look at some of the minor changes that have been made to the Bird General and Class licences for 2012.

England

Clarification of wording regarding statutory suspension of wildfowling to make it clearer that the licences can be used in these periods.
Licence condition 10, word 'should' changed to 'must' - remove dead animals from traps upon inspection.
List of Schedule 9 species corrected to include full list of species.

Scotland

Removal from General Licence #4 (Licence to Protect Air Safety), of Condition 17: "Where there is reasonable suspicion that an offence has been committed, the operator of a trap must reveal its location is required to do so by a constable.
Bird licensing responsibilities have been transferred [from Scottish Governnment, Rural & Environment Directorate] to Scottish National Heritage (SNH) as of July 2011.

Wales

The 2012 licences for Wales are basically the same as in 2011. There is a consultation due on the licences this year.

Northern Ireland

No made at all when the current licences were introduced on 1st September 2011.

If you would like to know more about our bird and pest control services, please do not hesitate to contact us or follow the link provided for a free online quote.