A reminder to consult 2025 general licences for bird management
This is a reminder, for those involved in professional bird management, to ensure you have the latest copies of general licences before undertaking any lethal control of listed bird species. In fact, it’s not just about having the latest copies, it’s about following the licence requirements fully.
England
In England, the relevant general licences are available HERE.
The general licences regarding bird management remain in place as they came in on the 1st of January 2024 and then will expire on the 31st of December 2025.
The licence most relevant to many pest controllers is the GL41 Wild birds: licence to kill or take for public health or safety. As a landowner, occupier or authorised person, use this general licence to kill or take certain wild birds to preserve public health or safety. Species listed are Canada goose, Branta Canadensis, Feral pigeon Columba livia, Jackdaw Corvus monedula, Monk parakeet Myiopsitta monachus.
Also note the following:
Wild birds: licence to kill or take to prevent serious damage (GL42)
Wild birds: licence to kill or take for conservation purposes (GL40)
Scotland
2025 bird general licences for Scotland are available HERE.
They are valid from 1st January to 31st December 2025.
Key licences are:
GL01/2025 – To kill or take certain birds for the conservation of wild birds
GL02/2025 – To kill or take certain birds for the prevention of serious damage
GL03/2025 – To kill or take certain birds for the preservation of public health, public safety and preventing the spread of disease
There is one change to the suite of 2025 General Licences from the 2024 General Licences. This change applies to an additional method specific to feral pigeons when shooting at night under General Licences 02 and 03.
The Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024 introduced a requirement for anyone operating traps to catch wild birds must have:
1. attended an approved training course, and
2. been issued an individual license from NatureScot.
Killgerm Training offers the course that follows the Scottish Government approved course contents and so fulfils part 1 of this new requirement.
Wales
Welsh general licences update
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) have published new general licences for the control of wild birds for the 2025 calendar year. You can find the most up to date legislation HERE.
Key licences, valid from 1st January 2025 to 31st December 2025 are:
GL002 – Preservation of public health
This general licence is for the purpose of preserving public health and preventing the spread of disease.
It authorises the killing or taking of feral pigeon. This includes damaging or destroying their nests and taking or destroying their eggs. It also authorises the use of any device (inside a building) for illuminating a target or any sighting device for night shooting; the use of any form of artificial lighting or any mirror or other dazzling device; or of any handheld or hand propelled net (inside a building) to take birds whilst not in flight.
GL001 – Prevention of serious damage to crops and livestock
This general licence is for the purpose of preventing serious damage or spread of disease to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables or fruit.
It authorises the killing or taking of Canada goose, carrion crow, jackdaw, feral pigeon and wood pigeon. This includes damaging or destroying their nests and taking or destroying their eggs. It also authorises the use of carrion crow and jackdaw as decoys in cage traps: HERE.
Northern Ireland
Licences are available here
Kill or take certain birds, including the taking, damaging or destruction of their eggs, or the disturbance of such a bird or the young of such a bird for the purpose of preserving public health or public safety
• to kill or take certain birds TPG1
Kill or take certain birds, including the taking, damaging or destruction of their eggs, or the disturbance of such a bird or the young of such a bird for the purpose of preventing the spread of disease and preventing serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber and fisheries.
• to kill or take certain birds TPG2
Kill or take certain birds, including the taking, damaging or destruction of their eggs, or the disturbance of such a bird or the young of such a bird for the purpose of conserving wild birds
• to kill or take certain birds TPG3
Republic of Ireland
The ‘Wild Bird Declaration’ has been published in Ireland, for 2025 bird control.
The Minister for Housing, Local Government & Heritage has signed the State-wide Declaration to allow the control of certain wild bird species that are causing damage to crops, livestock and fauna or in the interests of public health and safety. The Declaration is effective from 1 January 2025 until 31 December 2025. Details are available HERE.
