General licence chaos cost BASC respondents £29 million, new infographic reveals
Ninety-nine per cent of respondents reported damage, loss or risk.
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The general licence that permits the release of pheasants and red-legged partridges on and within 500m of the boundary of European protected sites in England has been renewed for the next 12 months.
Known as GL43, the licence contains conditions relating to the numbers of pheasants and red-legged partridges which can be released and a legal requirement to inform Natural England of such a release. If the release activity on a European protected site falls outside of the GL43 conditions, then an individual licence will have to be applied for from Natural England. Further information can be found here
GL 43 licence will run from 31 May 2022 to 30 May 2023.
BASC is advising members that there are no substantial changes to the conditions of the new licence, although there is additional clarification around the consenting process on certain Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
In practice, European protected sites are also designated as an SSSI and can be subject to a requirement to gain consent for certain activities on the site itself. Members can contact our consenting team with further questions at consenting@basc.org.uk.
Please note that if you are releasing outside of European protected sites and their buffer zones you still have to comply with other legal requirements, such as applicable SSSI rules and completing the poultry register.
GL43 was initiated in May 2021 as part of an interim licensing regime introduced by the Government following a withdrawn legal challenge and subsequent consultation. The legislation which applies to the interim licencing regime is subject to a sunset clause and ceases in 2025. BASC continues to engage with the government on this licence.
Ninety-nine per cent of respondents reported damage, loss or risk.
The results from BASC’s members survey have been highlighted in Defra’s final report on their call for evidence on the future use of general licences.
BASC chief executive Ian Bell met Michael Gove ahead of announcement.
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© 2023 British Association for Shooting and Conservation. Registered Office: Marford Mill, Rossett, Wrexham, LL12 0HL – Registered Society No: 28488R. BASC is a trading name of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm reference number 311937.
If you have any questions or complaints about your BASC membership insurance cover, please email us. More information about resolving complaints can be found on the FCA website or on the EU ODR platform.
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