British Bird Council
General Licences
Species listed on Schedule 3 part 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act are permitted under legislation to be offered for sale or competitively shown if ringed in accordance with ringing regulations. - i.e. Captive bred and ringed with the correct size ring issued by the B.B.C. or I.O.A. (see ring chart for schedules of birds)
However, the selling & showing of some of the other birds we keep is permitted by "General Licences" issued by Government departments each year.
All users of these General Licences should make themselves fully aware of the conditions of the licences they use.
There are General Licences issued by the respective authorities in each of England, Scotland & Wales.
These have subtle differences between authorities, certainly regarding the requirement of documentary evidence.
Please see the General Licences listed below
ENGLISH GENERAL LICENCES
Copies of General Licences can be obtained by post from,
Wildlife Licensing Unit, Natural England,
1st
Floor, Temple Quay house, 2 The Square,
Bristol BS1 6EB
Tel No. 0845 6014523.
Or licences can be accessed on website www.naturalengland.org.uk The individual links are below;
Note: - Schedule 3 part 1 species not ringed in accordance with ringing regulations must be individually licensed by Natural England if they are to be offered for sale or competitively shown.
Application form link;
http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/regulation/wildlife/licences/applicationforms.aspx
General Licences:
General Licence WML / GL14
Permits the competitive showing of species Not listed on Schedule 3 part 1 subject to conditions of this licence.
Note: - Proof of breeding documentation IS a condition of this licence.
General Licence WML / GL18
Permits the sale of species Not listed on schedule 3 Part 1 provided the conditions of the licence are met.
Note: - Proof of breeding documentation IS a condition of this licence.
General Licence WML / GL15
Permits sale and competitive showing of Mealy Redpoll (Carduelis flammea flammea) provided it is ringed with size C ring issued by B.B.C. or I.O.A.
Note: - documentation is Not now a requirement of this licence
General Licence WML / GL16
Permits the keeping of certain captive-bred birds in show cages for training purposes
SCOTTISH GENERAL LICENCES
Copies of General Licences can be obtained by post from;
Scottish Natural Heritage
Licencing Team
Great Glen House
Leachkin Road
Inverness
IV3 8NW
Or licences can be accessed on website Scottish Natural Heritage The individual links are below;
Permits the competitive showing of species Not listed on Schedule 3 part 1 subject to conditions of this licence.
Note: - Proof of breeding documentation is NOT condition of this licence.
Permits
the keeping
certain captive-bred live birds in show cages for
training
GL 11/2020
Permits the sale of species Not listed on schedule 3 Part 1 provided the conditions of the licence are met.
Note: - Proof of breeding documentation is NOT condition of this licence.
WELSH GENERAL LICENCES
Copies of General Licences can be obtained by post from;
Natural Resources Wales
Tŷ Cambria,
29 Newport Road,
Cardiff,
CF24 0TP
Or licences can be accessed on website Natural Resources Wales The individual links are below;
Permits the sale of species Not listed on schedule 3 Part 1 provided the conditions of the licence are met.
Note: - Proof of breeding documentation IS a condition of this licence.
Permits the competitive showing of species Not listed on Schedule 3 part 1 subject to conditions of this licence.
Note: - Proof of breeding documentation IS a condition of this licence.