Defra has advised BASC that there will be no changes to the general licences (GL40-42) when they renew from 1 January 2024 for two years.
General Licences
The new set of interim General Licences announced by DAERA will run from 1 January 2023 until the end of February 2023.
Read our update on general licences in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland for 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.
The condition would impact young and future farmers, conservationists and pest controllers who require general licences in work and training.
BASC is calling for users of the general licence for conservation in Wales to provide case studies to rebut NRW’s decision to remove jays, jackdaws and magpies.
The decision by Natural Resources Wales to restrict the ability of conservationists and wildlife managers to control magpies, jays and jackdaws is a retrograde blow for conservation.
In a move supported by BASC, Defra has confirmed that it will contest Wild Justice’s latest legal challenge relating to the general licence GL42.
Subject to NRW board approval, the proposals would remove magpies, jays and jackdaws from the Welsh general licence for conservation.
DAERA is to revoke existing general licences in Northern Ireland, replacing with interim licences prior to launching a public consultation.
