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Statutory guidance

Licence to possess plants and animals for scientific purposes (CL01)

Get a licence to possess and transport dead specimens of certain plants and animals for scientific or educational purposes.

Updates to this page

From:
Natural England
Published:
6 October 2014
Last updated:
1 January 2026
Show all updates

  1. Updated this licence to cover the period 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030.

  2. Updated this licence to cover the period 1 January to 31 December 2025. Reworded several sections to make the information clearer, including information and advice notes d and e.

  3. There is an update to this licence for 1 January 2024.

  4. Annual licence update, valid from 1 January 2023.

  5. Annual licence update, valid from 1 January 2022.

  6. Annual update valid from 1 January 2021.

  7. Accessible version of licence added - HTML.

  8. Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2020

  9. Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2019

  10. Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2018

  11. Annual licence update 2017.

  12. Replaced licence with new version issued on 1 January 2016.

  13. Added revised version of licence. List of those who can use the licence has been updated.

  14. Updated class licence. New version valid 1 January to 31 December 2015.

  15. First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Licence to possess and transport dead specimens of annex IV and II(b) species (CL01)

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Details

This licence applies to the plants and animals listed in annex II(b) and IV of the EC Habitats Directive. It allows museums, research or educational establishments to possess and transport dead specimens of these species for the purposes of science or education. The specific organisations it covers are set out in annex A and B of the licence.

Register to use this licence

To register for this licence, you must notify Natural England in writing within one month of first possessing a specimen of one of the relevant species. Write to or email:

Wildlife licensing (Science, education and conservation)

Natural England
Horizon House
Deanery Road
Bristol
BS1 5AH

Email wildlife.scicons@naturalengland.org.uk

Telephone 0300 060 3900

How to report your actions

You must keep a register of any specimens or derivatives that you possess in relation to this licence. This information must be updated annually and be made available for inspection at any time by Natural England. Full details are provided in annex C of the licence.

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