Natural England has published a bulletin detailing the 2026 General Licences for the control of wild birds (GLs 40-42), which will come into force on 1 January 2026 and will last for 12 months. There are a few changes in the content and length of these licences, with the incumbent GLs 40-42 having been issued by Defra back at the end of 2023 and lasting for 24 months.

Most importantly, there is no material change to the list of which species can controlled for which reasons. However, Natural England have made a few tweaks to the conditions that underpin the licences which cover avian influenza and the designation of ‘birds of conservation concern’.

One key change is that the list of birds of conservation concern that can be protected through wild bird control is to be redefined. No longer will it be constrained to the constricted red and amber lists of the British Trust for Ornithology, instead incorporating IUCN work and the latest available scientific research. 

A result of this is that the red grouse will be listed as a bird of conservation concern under the 2026 GL40, meaning that species such as carrion crow and magpie can be controlled to enable red grouse conservation. This is meaningful and welcome change that recognises the vital role of predator control in maintaining strong populations of bird species that would otherwise struggle.

Natural England said: 

“Although Red Grouse and some other birds on the list are classed as ‘green-listed’, Natural England has included them on this licence because of expert opinion that their favourable status may depend on continued predator control. Also, in 2024 the Red Grouse was formally recognised as a species endemic to Great Britain (& Ireland) found nowhere else in the world.” 

There is also a new condition to reduce risk of avian influenza transmission. For all three general licences, Natural England added a new condition that users must avoid excessive disturbance of certain species or types of birds associated with protected sites. The licences include advice on what this means in practice and allow users flexibility to determine how to avoid excessive disturbance on their site. Importantly, there are no locations or times when licensed action is specifically prohibited. 

The full Natural England bulletin that lists all the changes coming to GLs 40-42, including the new list of birds of conservation concern that can be protected under GL40 can be read here.