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Statutory guidance

Gamebirds: licence to release common pheasants or red-legged partridges on special areas of conservation or within 500m of their boundary (GL43)

Owners or occupiers of land, or people authorised by them, can use this general licence to release common pheasants or red-legged partridges on special areas of conservation and within their 500m buffer zones.

Updates to this page

From:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published:
31 May 2023
Last updated:
9 March 2026
Show all updates

  1. Updated the contact details and the reporting form.

  2. Added link to new online form for reporting release activity.

  3. Updated the licence for 2025. This includes adding a new condition and related advice for biosecurity measures.

  4. Updated the information on when you can use this licence. The licence is now valid until 1 February 2025.

  5. Updated the text around registering birds and added new link to online service for registering less that 50 birds.

  6. First published.

Applies to England

Documents

GL43: licence to release common pheasants or red-legged partridges on special areas of conservation (SACs) or within 500m of their boundary

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Details

You must follow the conditions of general licence GL43 to release common pheasants or red-legged partridges on special areas of conservation and within their 500m buffer zones.

You do not need to apply or register to use this licence, but you must meet its conditions and report release activity.

If you need help, email: GLenquiries@defra.gov.uk.

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