Legislation affecting the management of wildlife 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 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.) and include a list of bird species for which that purpose is a valid reason for control measures to be taken.

By definition you do not need to apply for general licences but you are required by law to abide by their terms and conditions.