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Statutory guidance

Wild birds: licence to sell dead wild birds (GL17)

Get a general licence to sell dead wild birds and their parts.

Updates to this page

From:
Natural England
Published:
31 December 2013
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. Updated the 'Avian influenza' information and advice note.

  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 licence update.

  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. Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2017

  12. Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2016

  13. new version of GL17 valid 1 January to 31 December 2015

  14. First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Licence to sell dead wild birds (GL17)

HTML

Details

You can sell and advertise that you’re selling dead wild birds and their parts with this licence. This licence does not permit you to sell birds for human consumption.

You can only sell dead birds and their parts or products if you have documentation to prove that they were:

  • bred in captivity - the bird’s parents must have been in lawful captivity when the egg was laid
  • legally removed from the wild within the United Kingdom
  • listed on annex A of Council Regulation (EC) No. 338/97 and, where appropriate, you have an article 10 certificate

You do not need to apply for this licence but you must meet its conditions and follow its instructions.

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