Mixed news for delayed general licences for gamebird release

The shooting sector have received confirmation from Defra that GL43 will be issued within the next few weeks but that they do not plan to reissue GL45 for the remainder of this year.

GL43 is the general licence which permits the release of pheasants and red legged partridges on or within 500 metres of a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), while GL45 applies to the release of these gamebirds on or within 500 metres of Special Protection Areas (SPAs).

The government claim that they will not be renewing GL45 due to the current risk levels of avian influenza. Shoots that wish to release birds on these areas will be forced to apply for an individual licence from Natural England, Defra has said.

This will dramatically increase the bureaucratic burden for shoots that in previous years under GL45 would simply have had to adhere to the conditions stipulated by the general licence with no paperwork necessary.

Director of conservation, policy and uplands for the National Gamekeepers Organisation (NGO), John Clarke told ST: “After the GL43 debacle of 2023, the NGO ensured that we engaged with the Defra gamebird licensing team at every stage, and we had recently written to the Minister responsible for the issuing of these licences asking why there was a delay in issuing the two General Licenses.

“This makes it even more frustrating that Defra have made the decision not to licence GL45 this year. Individuals operating on or near SPAs will have to apply for individual licenses, which once again puts businesses in jeopardy and risks repercussions for both employment and the wider rural economy.

“Shooting is a key driver of rural economic growth, and delays and restrictions are not helpful in already struggling rural communities.”

Glynn Evans, head of game and wildlife management at the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), said: “The confirmation that GL43 will be issued in the coming weeks follows extensive lobbying of civil servants by BASC. We wrote to the Minister responsible, highlighting the growing urgency and need for information on GL43 and we are pleased our questions have been answered.

“On GL45, BASC is in the process of seeking further clarification and assurances that there will be sufficient resources in place to facilitate individual licence applications and that if risk levels decline further, that consideration will be given to the issuing of it.”