Statutory guidance

Trapping wild birds: standard licence conditions (GL33)

The conditions you must follow if you carry out cage trapping and dispatch of wild birds under Defra and Natural England licences.

From:

Published:

26 April 2019

Last updated:

1 January 2026

Show all updates

1 January 2026
Updated this licence to cover the period 1 January to 31 December 2026. Under 'Condition 6. Use of decoy birds' added advice about registering kept birds.
1 January 2025
Updated this licence to cover the period 1 January to 31 December 2025. Updated the 'Avian Influenza' information and advice note.
1 January 2024
There is an update to this licence for 1 January 2024.
1 January 2023
Annual licence update, valid from 1 January 2023.
1 January 2022
Renewed for 1 January 2022.
5 January 2021
Removed GL33 PDF format that expired on 31 December 2020.
23 December 2020
We added pigeon traps to the list of permitted trap designs.
9 December 2020
Added updated standard licence conditions for trapping wild birds. You must follow the updated conditions from 1 January 2021.
1 January 2020
Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2020
26 April 2019
First published.

Applies to England

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This document sets out the standard licence conditions and advice that apply to certain licences to trap wild birds and use decoys.

Your licence will state if these standard licence conditions apply.