NRW commits to removing “discriminatory” general licences age restriction
The condition would impact young and future farmers, conservationists and pest controllers who require general licences in work and training.
Natural England publishes new general licences
BASC is advising members that Natural England (NE) has published new general licences for the control of Canada geese and wood pigeon.
NE has published the general licence for ‘Canada geese to preserve public health and public safety’ and the general licence for ‘woodpigeon to prevent serious damage to crops’.
NE has advised that if individual circumstances are not covered by the new licences then an application for an individual licence should be completed.
BASC will be carefully considering the terms and conditions of the new licences and associated documents before making further comment.
The former general licences (GL04, GL05 and GL06) which previously allowed the control of pigeons, crows, magpies, rooks, jackdaws, jays, Canada geese and nine other species, were all revoked on 25th April.
A dedicated page on BASC’s website provides links to the latest advice and analysis.
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General licence restrictions in Scotland could affect innocent land managers
A proposal to consider excluding the use of general licences over some areas of land in Scotland has been challenged by the UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC). BASC is concerned that this could penalise innocent land managers and affect their livelihoods.
Defra announces renewal of GL40-42 for two years without changes
Defra has advised BASC that there will be no changes to the general licences (GL40-42) when they renew from 1 January 2024 for two years.