What Are the UK General Licence Rules for Pest Bird Control?

Quick Answer

General licences allow farmers, landowners, and authorised persons to control certain pest bird species in England, Scotland, and Wales without needing an individual licence from the relevant nature authority. Each UK nation issues its own general licences annually. To rely on one, you must be acting for a permitted purpose, using an authorised method, and have no other reasonable means of preventing the damage. The licence does not override UK firearms law - you still need the appropriate certificate to use a firearm.

What is a general licence for pest bird control?

A general licence is a standing permission issued by the relevant nature authority in each UK nation. It authorises certain people to take, kill, or destroy specific wild bird species without applying for an individual licence. Without a general licence, killing or taking most wild birds is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

The key point is that a general licence is not a permit issued to you personally. It is an open authority that any qualifying person can rely on, provided they meet the conditions. If you do not meet those conditions on any particular occasion, the general licence does not cover you.

In England, Natural England issues the general licences on behalf of Defra. In Scotland, NatureScot issues them. In Wales, Natural Resources Wales issues them. Northern Ireland has separate arrangements through DAERA. Each nation publishes its licences annually, usually effective from 1 January.

Which species are covered by general licences in England?

In England, the 2025 and 2026 general licences issued by Natural England cover a number of species across different licence categories. The principal pest species covered for shooting under GL40 (preventing serious damage) include:

• Woodpigeon
• Feral pigeon
• Carrion crow
• Jackdaw
• Magpie
• Jay
• Rook
• Collared dove
• Canada goose
• Greylag goose
• Monk parakeet

Not every species appears on every licence. The species listed depend on the purpose of the licence and the methods authorised. Always check the current year's licence documents on the GOV.UK general licences page before carrying out control activity.

What are the permitted purposes under a general licence?

General licences are issued for specific purposes. The three main purpose categories in England are:

GL40 - Preventing serious damage: This covers control to prevent serious damage to crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber, foodstuffs, livestock, fisheries, or to prevent the spread of disease. This is the licence most shooters engaged in agricultural pest control will rely on.

GL41 - Preserving public health and safety: This covers control where the species poses a risk to public health or safety. Feral pigeons around food handling areas or aircraft collision risk situations may fall under this purpose.

GL42 - Conserving wild birds and their habitats: This covers control carried out to protect other wild birds, including predator management for ground-nesting bird conservation.

You must have a genuine reason linked to one of these purposes on each occasion. The purpose must be real and demonstrable, not just assumed.

What conditions must you meet to rely on a general licence?

Several conditions apply before you can rely on a general licence. You must check and meet all of them on each occasion:

• The species you intend to control must be on the relevant licence
• Your purpose must be one of the permitted purposes on that licence
• The location must be appropriate - general licences do not override designations such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) without additional consent from Natural England
• You must have tried or considered non-lethal alternatives first. If a scarer, proofing, or netting could prevent the damage, the licence may not cover lethal control
• You must use only the authorised methods listed on the licence
• You must be the licence holder or acting under their authority (the licence holder in practice means the occupier of the land or an authorised person acting on their behalf)

BASC's guidance on England's general licences confirms that the occupier of the land or an authorised person can act under the licence without registering, provided the conditions are met.

Do general licences cover all shooting methods?

General licences authorise specific methods. For shooting, this typically means using an appropriate firearm with the necessary certificate authority. The licence does not remove the requirement to comply with UK firearms legislation.

If you are using a Section 1 firearm (rifle), you need a firearms certificate. If you are using a shotgun, you need a shotgun certificate. An air rifle over the energy threshold also requires a certificate. The general licence authorises the wildlife control activity; it does not provide any firearms authority.

Cage trapping and other methods may also be authorised on some licences. The specific methods permitted depend on the licence and the species. Always confirm the authorised methods before carrying out control.

Are general licences the same across England, Scotland, and Wales?

General licences vary between England, Scotland, and Wales. Each nation issues its own licences, covers its own species lists, and applies its own conditions.

In Scotland, NatureScot issued GL01, GL02, and GL03 for 2026. The GWCT notes that the 2026 Scottish general licences are largely unchanged from 2025, with the addition of a method specific to feral pigeon at night under GL02 and GL03.

The Countryside Alliance confirms that NatureScot's 2026 licences allow for night-shooting of feral pigeon using an additional authorised method not previously included. This reflects how general licences can be updated from year to year.

In Wales, Natural Resources Wales issues its own licences with different species lists and conditions. Always check the relevant authority for your nation and confirm you have the current year's licence.

What happens on a SSSI?

Shooting on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) requires additional consent from Natural England, even if the target species is listed on a general licence. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 imposes a duty not to carry out operations likely to damage the special interest of a SSSI without consent.

BASC's guidance states clearly that general licence users on SSSIs must obtain Natural England consent separately from the general licence authority. Operating without that consent on a SSSI could result in prosecution even if the species and purpose meet the general licence conditions.

Check Natural England's designated sites system to confirm whether land you intend to shoot on includes or borders a SSSI.

Do you need to register to use a general licence?

In England, you do not need to register with Natural England to rely on the general licences in most situations. The licence is open to qualifying persons and does not require individual registration.

However, for certain higher-risk species or situations, Natural England has previously explored registration requirements. Always check the current year's licence documents to confirm the position. BASC publishes regular updates on any changes to registration requirements when they arise.

In some circumstances, Natural England may require an individual licence rather than allowing reliance on a general licence. If the situation is unusual or complex, seek advice from BASC or a specialist firearms solicitor before proceeding.

What records should you keep of pest bird control activity?

While general licences do not always specify a mandatory recording requirement, keeping clear records of pest control activity is strongly recommended. Useful records include:

• Date and location of each control operation
• Species targeted and numbers taken
• Purpose of control and evidence of damage or risk
• Methods used
• Alternatives considered and why lethal control was necessary
• Whether the land included any SSSI areas

If there is ever a query about the legality of control activity, clear records demonstrating the permitted purpose, species, method, and alternatives considered will support your position significantly.

Vectis Shooting Log can help keep these records organised alongside your firearm use, ammunition, and shooting activity entries.

How can Vectis help with pest control record keeping?

Vectis Shooting Log provides a structured way to record shooting activity including pest control sessions. You can log the firearm used, ammunition, location, quarry species, and session notes in one place.

For pest control specifically, linking the session to the relevant general licence purpose makes it straightforward to demonstrate responsible activity if questions arise. Good records also help show a clear pattern of genuine pest control use, which can be relevant at certificate renewal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a personal licence to use a general licence for pest bird control?

In England, you do not normally need to apply for a personal licence to rely on a general licence. You must be the occupier of the relevant land or an authorised person acting on behalf of the occupier, and you must meet all the conditions of the licence on each occasion.

Which general licence covers woodpigeon shooting in England?

Woodpigeon shooting to prevent serious damage to crops is covered under Natural England's GL40. The woodpigeon must be present and causing or likely to cause serious damage to crops, vegetables, or other specified items. The general licence does not permit casual sport shooting of woodpigeon without a demonstrable pest control purpose.

Do I still need a shotgun certificate to shoot pest birds under a general licence?

Yes. A general licence authorises the wildlife control activity under nature conservation law. It does not remove the requirement to hold the appropriate firearms certificate under the Firearms Act 1968. You must hold the correct certificate for the firearm you use.

Can I rely on a general licence on land I do not own?

An authorised person can rely on the licence on land they do not own, provided the landowner or occupier has given appropriate authority. Acting without that authority means the licence conditions are not met and the control would not be lawful.

What happens if a general licence is revoked or changed mid-year?

Nature authorities can revoke or amend general licences during the year in exceptional circumstances. If a general licence you rely on is revoked, any ongoing control activity must stop immediately. BASC and the Countryside Alliance publish updates when licences change. Checking periodically during the year is good practice.

Can I shoot corvids such as crows and magpies under a general licence?

Carrion crows, jackdaws, magpies, jays, and rooks are listed on the English general licences for certain purposes. You must still meet the conditions of the licence - including demonstrating a genuine permitted purpose and having considered non-lethal alternatives. Shooting corvids purely for sport without a pest control justification is not covered.

Does a general licence allow night shooting of pest birds?

Night shooting of certain species is authorised under specific licences in some nations. In Scotland for 2026, NatureScot added night shooting of feral pigeons as an authorised method under GL02 and GL03. In England, check the current year's licence documents for which methods are authorised. Night shooting must also comply with any conditions on your firearms certificate.

Where do I find the current general licence documents?

For England, current general licences are published on GOV.UK and also summarised by BASC, the Countryside Alliance, and the GWCT. For Scotland, licences are published by NatureScot. For Wales, Natural Resources Wales publishes their licences. Always use the current year's documents - last year's licence may have changed.

What should I do if I am uncertain whether a general licence covers my situation?

If you are uncertain whether a general licence covers your situation, seek advice from BASC or a competent shooting organisation before carrying out any control. Acting outside the scope of a general licence is a criminal offence under wildlife protection law, with significant penalties.