The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has today renewed the general licences that allow individuals to shoot woodpigeon and trap magpies, amongst other bird species and approved control methods.
BASC was assured that all Northern Irish general licences would be renewed unchanged for a period of 12 months and can confirm that this is the case.
BASC’s Conor O’Gorman said: “All users of airguns, shotguns and Larsen traps in Northern Ireland will be happy to know that BASC is looking out for their interests by being alert to the contents of the general licences and any proposals to change them.”
In Northern Ireland general licences provide a legal basis for the control of woodpigeon, feral pigeon, crow, magpie, rook, jackdaw, great black-backed gull, herring gull, lesser black-backed gull, house sparrow and starling. By definition you do not need to apply for general licences but you are required by law to abide by their terms and conditions.
BASC’s UK-wide online advisory resource on pest birds and general licences can be viewed from this link www.0ld.basc.org.uk/en/shooting/general-licences.cfm
ENDS