General Licence 007

Licence Number: GEN / WCA / 007 / 2024
Valid from: 1 January 2024
Expiry date: 31 December 2024

Licence to keep wild birds of species listed on Schedule 4 for rehabilitation

This licence, granted under Section 16(1) (c), 16(5) and Section 16(5)(a) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), by the Natural Resource Body for Wales otherwise known as Natural Resources Wales (NRW), being satisfied that as regards the purpose set out at paragraph 1 that there is no other satisfactory solution, permits authorised persons to carry out a range of activities against the birds of the species listed and hereby grants the following licence which applies only in Wales:

1. This licence allows a licensed person to keep a disabled wild-bred bird listed in Schedule 4 to the Act in his possession or under his control, without the requirement to register the bird, provided that the disabled bird is kept solely for rehabilitation purposes, with a view to releasing the bird when it is no longer disabled for the purpose of conserving wild birds.

2. Subject to the terms and conditions below, Section 7(1)-(2) of the Act (and Regulations made under that Section) shall not apply to the keeping of any Schedule 4 disabled wild-bred bird by any of the following licensed persons for the maximum number of days stated:

(a) Up to 15 days by a person who:

- - has been a registered keeper of three or more Schedule 4 disabled wild-bred birds pursuant to Section 7(1)-(2) of the Act and the regulations made under it, and who has subsequently notified Natural Resources Wales / Welsh Government that such birds have been released into the wild; or
  - is an official of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).
  - is an official of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)

(b) Up to six weeks by:

- - Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Practitioners for the purpose of receiving professional veterinary treatment.

The works noted above are licensed for the period as stated above and are granted subject to compliance with the conditions as specified. Anything done otherwise than in accordance with the terms of the licence may constitute an offence.

Iwan G. Hughes, Team Leader Species Permitting
Signed for and on behalf of Natural Resources Wales

Conditions

1. This licence shall not apply to any person who would be guilty of an offence under Section 7(3) of the Act by having in his possession or control any bird on Schedule 4.

2. The licensed person shall, within 4 days commencing with the day on which he takes into his possession or control a Schedule 4 disabled wild-bred bird, notify that fact in writing to the Centre for International Trade, Animal and Plant Health Agency, 1/17 Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Way, Bristol, BS1 6EB, email wildlife.licensing@apha.gsi.gov.uk

3. Failure to act within the purpose of this licence as set out in paragraph 1 or failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the licence may mean that the licence cannot be relied upon and an offence could therefore be committed. The maximum penalty available for an offence under the Act is a level 5 fine (£5,000) and/or a six month custodial sentence.

4. All relevant animal welfare legislation must be complied with at all times, including the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

5. Every effort must be made to ensure that any disabled wild-bred Schedule 4 bird falling within the terms of this licence does not become imprinted or otherwise rendered unfit, as a consequence of being in captivity, for subsequent release back into the wild.

6. Birds must be released or replaced at or as close as possible to the location from which they were taken or restrained, but may be released up to one kilometre from this place if releasing at the source location is not possible or would not be safe. The prior permission or authority of the landowner of the release location is required for the release.

The keeping of birds for up to 15 days by licence holders, registered keepers, RSPCA Officials and RSPB Officials

7. Within 15 days of a person first keeping or having in his possession or control any disabled wild bird to which paragraph 1 applies, that person shall, unless it was necessary to humanely kill the bird within the circumstances set out in Section 4(2)(b) of the Act, either

(a) release that bird into the wild, or

(b) pass that bird to a Veterinary Surgeon or Veterinary Practitioner or to a person who can conform to the conditions below relating to Veterinary Surgeons, without the requirement to ring or register the bird, provided that the bird is receiving professional veterinary treatment, or

(c) or register the bird in accordance with Section 7(1)-(2) of the Act and the regulations made under it. In such a case, the Welsh Government may require, with the application for registration, a certificate by a qualified Veterinary Practitioner that it is not possible to return the bird to the wild within the 15 days because of its injuries or illness.

8. The licensed person (as defined in paragraph 1) shall keep a record of each such disabled bird coming into in his possession or control. That record shall contain the following information:

(a) The species of bird, and the date the bird was taken into possession or control by the licensed person;

(b) The name and address of the person from whom the bird was received (if applicable), and the time and place the bird was taken;

(d) The cause of those injuries (if known);

(e) The date and place that the bird was released into the wild (if applicable) or disposed by whatever means; and

(f) The name of the person to whom the bird has been passed (if applicable).

9. The record shall be retained for a period of 2 years from the date the Schedule 4 bird came into the possession or control of the authorised person.

10. Within four months of the date on which a licensed person takes into possession or control a disabled wild-bred Schedule 4 bird, that person shall send to the Centre for International Trade, Animal and Plant Health Agency, 1/17 Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Way, Bristol, BS1 6EB, email wildlife.licensing@apha.gsi.gov.uk a copy of the record maintained in accordance with paragraph 5 above.

11. On being given reasonable notice in writing by Natural Resources Wales, the licensed person shall produce the record mentioned above to a person authorised in writing by Natural Resources Wales.

12. The transfer by a licensed person to any other person of any Schedule 4 disabled wild-bred bird held in accordance with this licence is not permitted, except when urgent medical attention is required.

The keeping of birds for up to six weeks by Veterinary Surgeons

13. In accordance with this licence for the treating of Schedule 4 wild-bred birds, is subject to the following conditions:

(a) the Veterinary Surgeon or Veterinary Practitioner keeps a record of each bird kept, which shall be retained for a period of two years from the date the bird came into their possession or control;

(b) any bird kept under the provisions of this licence is receiving professional veterinary treatment;

(c) any bird receiving treatment may be kept under the terms of this licence for a period not exceeding 6 weeks from the date the bird came into their possession or control;

(d) on being given reasonable notice in writing by the Secretary of State, the Veterinary Surgeon or Veterinary Practitioner shall produce the record of each bird kept to a person authorised in writing by Natural Resources Wales.

Notes

1. In this licence "a Schedule 4 wild-bred bird" means a wild bird included in Schedule 4 to the Act other than a bird treated as being bred in captivity within the meaning of Section 27(2) of the Act.

2. Normal registration and ringing requirements apply once the holding period has elapsed.

3. A licence in similar terms has been issued by Natural England in respect of England and by the Scottish Executive in respect of Scotland.

4. This licence may be modified or revoked at any time.

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