General Licences

 General Licences (GLs) for the control of wild birds are reviewed frequently by the governments of the four home nations. In all of these processes the Countryside Alliance is involved to campaign for the most practical licences which protect the countryside, helping farmers, land managers and conservationists manage avian pest species effectively and legitimately. Whilst it is not necessary to apply for these licences, it is essential that the terms and conditions of use for each are understood and complied with when carrying out any lethal control. 

Click on one of the following to skip to Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.

England

 On 1 January 2026 the three General Licences for the control of certain wild birds for varying purposes (GL40, GL41, GL42) came into effect and will be valid for one year until 31 December 2026. The three licences, which are unchanged from the previously issued ones, are for the purposes of conserving wild birds, flora and fauna of conservation concern (GL40); preserving public health or safety (GL41); and the prevention of serious damage (GL42). More information on these GLs can be found here. The details of which birds can be taken for what purposes are presented in this table: 

†   The wild birds which fall under this category are defined by Natural England here.

*  Only to conserve woodland birds of conservation concern, listed here.

Wales

 Issued by Natural Resources Wales, the 2026 versions of GL001 and GL002 came into effect on 1 January 2026 and expire on 31 December 2026. GL004 2026 came into effect on 1 February 2026, which will then expire on 31 August 2026. The 2024 removal of magpie from GL001 remains in effect. The full details of the Welsh GLs are available here, a summary of target species and purposes is in this table:

Scotland

 The General Licences 01, 02 and 03, issued by NatureScot for 2026 are unchanged from those issued for 2025, beside the addition of a method specific to the taking of feral pigeon at night under GL02 and GL03. These licences are valid from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026. There are numerous conditions to each of the licences, full details of which can be found here. The following table summarises which species can be taken for what purposes in Scotland:

Northern Ireland

 The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has issued amended interim General Licences whilst the results of a public consultation into general licensing are considered. These licences are valid from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026. Full details of these interim general licences can be found here.  

It is important to note that TPG1, TPG2 and TPG3 are not valid on Sundays or in the period commencing one hour after sunset on any day and ending one hour before sunrise on the next day.

 For the purpose of preventing serious damage to fisheries, a licence may also be obtained to shoot cormorants. Information for owners and/or operators requiring licences to protect their inland fishing interests, can be found here.

For those seeking other licences to control pest birds, you can find out more here.

Republic of Ireland

• Controlling pest birds for air safety
• General Declaration for controlling pest birds

 There is an obligation on any individual who carries out any activity in the Republic of Ireland under these Declarations to provide details of such activity. The relevant reporting forms can be found here:  

• Air Safety Declaration Return Form
• General Declaration Returns Form