Licence Application Forms

Please note that the licencing remit for issuing licences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Habitats Regulations 1994 and Protection of Badgers Act 1992, is split between Scottish Natural Heritage and Scottish Executive.

For plants and animals you can apply to SNH for scientific or educational purposes, for photography, for any marking of animals or where action is being taken for conservation purposes. Scottish Executive can grant licences authorising action to protect health and public safety and to prevent serious damage to property, crops livestock, timber or fisheries.

For birds, the position is essentially the same except SNH can issue licences for the purpose of research. Scottish Executive can grant licences for aviculture, taxidermy, falconry or air safety. In addition, one or two licences are issued on a UK basis by the Department Environment Transport Regions (DEFRA). They are also in charge of the registration scheme for the keeping of wild birds.

Only the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 lists "development" as a licensable purpose and that is the responsibility of SNH. For any species listed under the Habitats Regulations that is affected by "development" then it is the responsibility of Scottish Executive.

If you are planning any project involving any of the species listed then it’s possible that you will require a licence and you can download an application form from here.

To apply for a licence from the Scottish Executive please contact:

Licences to shoot piscivorous birds as an aid to scaring may be issued, Subject to application, by the Freshwater Fisheries, Aquaculture & Marine Environment Division of the Scottish Executive and Rural Affairs Department.

Contact
Mabel McDowall,
SEERAD,
Freshwater Fisheries,
Room 411,
Pentland House,
Edinburgh
EH14 1TY ,
Tel: 0131 244 6229
E-mail: Mabel.McDowall@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Applications to kill or take geese or ravens as an aid to scaring to prevent serious damage to agriculture will be considered by the appropriate local area office of the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department. See your local telephone directory for contact details of your nearest office or the Scottish Executive website at the following link: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Agriculture/AOcontacts/contacts

For all other licensing applications to prevent serious damage to agriculture

Contact
Mary Lourie,
SEERAD,
Agriculture and Food Division.
E-mail mary.lourie@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Tel: 0131 244 4403
Fax: 0131 244 6509

Applications to kill or take certain wild bird and animal species, the sale of such species dead or alive, ‘development’ licences for European Protected Species and other specific purposes as described under Section 16 (d) to (j) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Section 44 (e)(f) of The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c) regulations, and Section 10 (2) of the Badgers Act 1992 should be made to:

E-mail: Lorna.King@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Tel: 0131 244 7140
Fax: 0131 244 7163

Scottish Executive General Licences can be viewed at
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Wildlife-Habitats/16330/2006