Form

Mink, coypu and muskrat: apply for a licence to keep them (A04 and LR04)

Apply for a licence to keep certain non-native species for exhibition or for science and education purposes and find out how to report your actions.

Applies to England

Documents

Application for a licence to keep non-indigenous mammals (A04)

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Report your actions (LR04)

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Details

You must apply for a licence to keep certain non-native mammal species for exhibition or for scientific or educational purposes. These are:

  • mink
  • coypu
  • muskrat

To apply, you should complete the form A04 and send it to Natural England using the details on the form.

From 1 December, you can apply to move and keep grey squirrels to protect their welfare under the Invasive Alien Species Order 2019.

How to report your actions

You must report any actions you took using this licence on the report form (LR04). You must report no later than 2 weeks after your licence expires, even if you’ve taken no action. Send your completed form by post or email to Natural England using the details on the form.

You can also use the report form to renew your licence.

Published 6 October 2014
Last updated 31 March 2022 + show all updates
  1. We've replaced the report form (LR04).

  2. Deleted the line 'There’s a charge for coypu licences' in the Details section.

  3. We've published a revised licence application form.

  4. This licence no longer includes grey squirrels, use licence IAS A01 for invasive alien species to keep them for welfare purposes.

  5. EU regulation change: restriction to 1 year on a licence to keep grey squirrel for exhibition or for scientific or educational purposes.

  6. Replaced application form with revised version. Added new report form.

  7. First published.