Bird Control Legislation

Legislation

The law on bird control is covered by both British and European legislation. The two main statutes are:

• The Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981)
• The European Bird Directive (1979)

Under The Wildlife and Countryside Act, there are General Licences, issued by Natural England, permitting authorised persons to carry out a range of activities, at any time, ONLY against birds of the species listed below. Authorised persons include landowners, occupiers, local authorities or any person authorised in writing by the local authority. The listed birds are:

• Canada goose
• Jackdaw
• Crow
• Jay
• Collared Dove
• Magpie
• Great Black-backed Gull
• Feral pigeon
• Lesser Black-backed Gull
• Rook
• Herring Gull
• Woodpigeon

(Other birds can be controlled via special licences)

There are national variations to the species listed on the General Licences. Before undertaking control measures, it is strongly recommended to refer to the relevant government department.

The purposes for which these licences are granted:

• To preserve public health or public safety
• To preserve air safety
• To prevent the spread of disease and preventing serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber, fisheries or inland water.
• Conservation of wild birds

Persons relying on this licence must be satisfied that non-lethal methods of resolving the problem are ineffective or impractical.

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