The Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Board has considered the recommendations arising from the Wild Bird Review, specifically in relation to general licences. It decided that NRW should continue to grant general licences for the control of wild birds for some purposes, in some circumstances and where there are no other satisfactory solutions.
The decisions made by the Board will mean changes to licences from 1st July and these include:
- Species whose populations in Wales are significantly declining will not normally be considered suitable for listing on general licences.
- No additional species will be added to the scope of general licences at this time.
- The general licence for the purpose of preventing serious damage to crops and livestock will specify which species of birds may be controlled to prevent which types of damage.
- The general licence for the purpose of conserving wild birds will allow the control of carrion crow only, to conserve a list of Birds of Conservation Concern (BoCC) red or amber listed species which breed in Wales and which are considered vulnerable to predation by carrion crow.
- A general licence will continue to be issued for the control of feral pigeons for protecting public health and safety. Controlling any species of gull for this purpose will continue to require applying for specific licences.
- Using cage traps to control wild birds will be subject to a number of new conditions and advice concerning animal welfare and reducing risk of bycatch.
- The number of SSSIs where general licences may be used will be increased.