Changes to Welsh general licences announced

30 July 2010

What’s new?

The Welsh Assembly Government has published its decisions on what changes will be made to next year’s general licences for pest birds.  Canada geese and ruddy duck will be added to some general licences whilst herring gulls, lesser and great black-backed gulls will be removed from most general licences. A voluntary police administered identification tagging system for cage traps is being introduced. Read the sections below to find out more.

What are general licences?

General licences provide a legal basis for people to carry out a range of activities relating to wildlife and include those general licences relevant to the all year round control of ‘pest birds’ such as magpie and woodpigeon.  Control methods allowed under general licence may include shooting, the destruction of eggs and nests, and the use of larsen traps and multi-catch traps. In Wales general licences are issued by the Welsh Assembly Government. By definition you do not need to apply for a general licence but you are required by law to abide by their terms and conditions.

Click here to read more about general licences

Why are changes being made?

A consultation took place on proposed changes to the general licences in Wales from 1 September – 24 November 2009.  Most of the changes proposed are indeed the changes that will take place. Twenty seven individuals and organisations submitted their views and evidence.  Having reviewed those responses the Welsh Assembly Government has made its decision on what changes will actually take place with effect from 1 January 2011.  Read the sections for a summary of the main changes that will be of relevance to shooters.

Canada goose

Canada goose will be added to the list of species that can be controlled for the purposes of preventing damage to crops, preserving air safety and conserving other wild birds.  It will not be added to the general licence to preserve public health and safety.

Cage traps

A daily inspection requirement for the use of cage traps will be reworded based on the terms and conditions contained in Scottish and English general licences.  A voluntary police administered identification tagging system will be introduced. Users of cage traps will be encouraged to apply to their wildlife crime officers to obtain a tag for each trap that they use.

Herring gulls, lesser and great black-backed gulls

Herring gull, lesser black backed gull and great black backed gull will be removed from all general licences except for preserving air safety and preserving public health and safety.  The only control methods allowed for preserving public health and safety will be the destruction of eggs and removal of nests.  Killing of adult birds for preserving public health and safety will only be allowed through a specific licence request. 

Ruddy duck

A general licence to control ruddy duck will be introduced as there are still areas in Wales where the ruddy duck has not been eradicated. There will be a reporting requirement for anyone controlling ruddy duck using this general licence.

Control methods

Wording on the use of cage traps and the use of semi-automatic weapons will be added to each of the relevant general licences, allowing these control methods to be used. This will reduce the complexity of the existing system where purposes and methods are allowed for under different general licences.

Find out more

Click here to read more about the new general licences

 

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