BASC responds to revocation of general licences
Apr 23, 2019
BASC is advising members that Natural England (NE) is temporarily revoking three general licences in England for controlling certain wild birds from Thursday this week.
These licences (GL 04/05/06) cover 16 species of birds including several members of the crow family, Canada goose and some gulls and pigeons. There is uncertainty as to when the temporary revocation will end.
During that time, anyone needing to control one of these 16 bird species where there is no reasonable non-lethal alternative will need to apply for an individual licence. Natural England says it has simplified the process for applying for such a licence and details will be available on its gov.uk website on Thursday.
NE says this action is the first stage of a planned review of general and class licences, which will be completed this year. The change follows a legal challenge to the way the licences have been issued, which could mean users who rely on them are not acting lawfully.
Glynn Evans, BASC’s head of game and gundogs, said: “This change will clearly cause disruption and chaos and we urge people who may be affected to carefully follow the advice issued by Natural England.
“BASC is disappointed with the lack of notice from Natural England and we feel it unnecessarily puts people at risk of unwittingly falling foul of the law.
“It could not have come at a worse time for gamekeepers and other land managers, who are at a peak time for predator control to protect vulnerable wildlife and growing crops.
“We will be accepting Natural England’s offer of an urgent meeting to discuss these changes and the other issues around general licences. We will update our members at the earliest opportunity.”
Apr 23, 2019
BASC is advising members that Natural England (NE) is temporarily revoking three general licences in England for controlling certain wild birds from Thursday this week.
These licences (GL 04/05/06) cover 16 species of birds including several members of the crow family, Canada goose and some gulls and pigeons. There is uncertainty as to when the temporary revocation will end.
During that time, anyone needing to control one of these 16 bird species where there is no reasonable non-lethal alternative will need to apply for an individual licence. Natural England says it has simplified the process for applying for such a licence and details will be available on its gov.uk website on Thursday.
NE says this action is the first stage of a planned review of general and class licences, which will be completed this year. The change follows a legal challenge to the way the licences have been issued, which could mean users who rely on them are not acting lawfully.
Glynn Evans, BASC’s head of game and gundogs, said: “This change will clearly cause disruption and chaos and we urge people who may be affected to carefully follow the advice issued by Natural England.
“BASC is disappointed with the lack of notice from Natural England and we feel it unnecessarily puts people at risk of unwittingly falling foul of the law.
“It could not have come at a worse time for gamekeepers and other land managers, who are at a peak time for predator control to protect vulnerable wildlife and growing crops.
“We will be accepting Natural England’s offer of an urgent meeting to discuss these changes and the other issues around general licences. We will update our members at the earliest opportunity.”
but what is left for me to go and do so that I can use my shooting insurance? as i cant go crow bashing cant go decoying cant ,cant, cant ??? But maybe as long as the game birds are left alone all will become a status quo the fee paying sorry wage paying members will in due course see the light and move or just give up paying into the likes of BASC 
