The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is an important law in the United Kingdom. It was created to help protect nature and wildlife. This law makes sure that native animals and plants are safe. It also stops new, non-native species from being released into the wild. The Act is divided into four main parts. In the UK, it is generally against the law to kill most mammals and almost all birds. However, there are some special exceptions for certain types of animals or specific reasons.
Getting Permission to Act
General licenses are like special permissions given each year by the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in England. This department can give a license to kill or disturb certain birds. They also offer a general license. This general license allows an "authorised person" to act. An authorised person is someone who has permission from the landowner. They can kill certain birds, or destroy their eggs or nests. This is only allowed if there is no other way to solve a problem caused by these birds.
Why Licenses Are Needed
The table below shows some birds and the reasons why they might be controlled under a license. A green check mark means that reason is allowed for that bird.
1or to prevent serious damage to livestock or damage to foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber, fisheries or inland waters.
