Welsh general licences for 2011

4 January 2011

What’s new?

On 1 January 2011 the Welsh Assembly Government renewed all its general licences, including those relevant to pest birds. There have been a number of key changes. For example, Canada geese and ruddy duck have been added to some general licences whilst herring gulls, lesser and great black-backed gulls have been removed from most general licences.

Click here for Welsh general licences valid until 31 December 2011

Read the sections below for a BASC briefing on the changes most relevant to shooters.

Canada goose

Canada goose have been 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 has not been added to the general licence to preserve public health and safety.

Cage traps

A daily inspection requirement for the use of cage traps has been reworded based on the terms and conditions contained in Scottish and English general licences. 

A voluntary police administered identification tagging system has been introduced. Should they wish to, users of cage traps can apply to their local 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 have been 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 are the destruction of eggs and the removal of nests.  Killing of adult birds for preserving public health and safety is only allowed through a specific licence request. 

Ruddy duck

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

House sparrow and starling

House Sparrow and Starling have been removed from all existing general licences.

Control methods

Conditions allowing the use of cage traps and the use of semi-automatic weapons have been added to each of the relevant general licences. This reduces the complexity of last year's system where purposes and methods were seperate.

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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. If a species causing problems is not on the relevant general licence then you must apply to the Welsh Assembly Government for a specific licence.

Click here to read more about general licences

Why have changes taken place in Wales?

In 2009 a consultation took place on proposed changes to the general licences in Wales.  Only twenty seven individuals and organisations submitted their views and evidence.  Having reviewed those responses the Welsh Assembly Government then made its decision on what changes should take place. The changes were originally timetabled to take effect on 1 July 2010. However, BASC intervention ensured that the changes were postponed until 1 January 2011.

Click here to read more about the consultation that has led to the changes

 

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