General licences issued under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 authorise,
amongst other pest control measures, the control of certain bird
pest species including crows, gulls and pigeons.
They are issued for the purposes of the conservation of wild birds,
the protection of livestock and crops and the preventing of the
spread of disease.
Scottish Natural Heritage issues General Licences in Scotland,
while Natural England issues them in England and
Wales.
Control activity, so long as it is carried out in accordance
with a General Licence, does not require an application to be made
to or specific permission obtained from either of the regulatory
bodies before it is carried out.
