Statutory guidance

Wild birds: licence to kill or take to prevent serious damage (GL42)

As a land owner, occupier or authorised person, use this general licence to kill or take certain species of wild birds to prevent serious damage.

From:

Natural England

Published:

1 January 2021

Last updated:

1 January 2026

Show all updates

1 January 2026
From 1 January 2026, this licence will be issued by Natural England. It will be valid for 1 year. It introduces changes in structure and to wording of conditions and advice. There are additional requirements to reduce bird disturbance in certain situations.
1 January 2024
From 1 January 2024, this licence will be valid for 2 years, until 31 December 2025.
3 March 2022
Footnote 7 has been updated to clarify the definition of livestock. This change has been made in line with S16(5)(d) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
1 January 2022
From 1 January 2022, this licence will be valid for 2 years, until 31 December 2023. Definitions for ‘serious damage’ and ‘livestock’ have been added to the footnotes. Birds you can control under this licence are listed in Table 1 as permitted target birds. Advice on other relevant legislation has also been added to help you take action under this licence.
1 January 2021
First published.

Applies to England

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You do not need to apply for general licence GL42, but you must comply with its conditions.

There are restrictions to avoid or reduce bird disturbance.