General Licence 011

Licence No: GEN / WCA / 011 / 2024
Valid From: 1 January 2024
Expiry: 31 December 2024

Licence to permit the sale and exhibition of mealy redpoll (Carduelis flammea flammea).

This licence, granted under Section 16(4) (a), 16(5) and 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 2 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. The purpose of this licence is to allow the sale and competitive showing of Mealy Redpoll (Carduelis flammea flammea).

2. Subject to the conditions below, this licence permits:

(a) the sale (which in this licence includes hire, barter or exchange), offer or exposure for sale, possession or transport for the purpose of sale;

(b) the publication or the causing to be published of any advertisement likely to be understood as conveying the buying or selling, or the intention of the buying or selling; and

(c) exhibition or showing for competitive purposes

of captive-bred (as defined in condition 1 below) Mealy Redpoll (Carduelis flammea flammea).

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. Any bird exhibited or sold under this licence must have been bred in captivity. A bird shall not be treated as being bred in captivity unless its parents were lawfully in captivity when the egg from which it hatched was laid.

2. Any birds shown or sold under the terms of this licence must be ringed with a legible individually numbered metal close ring (size C), which is a ring or a band in a continuous circle (without any break, join, or any sign of tampering since it was manufactured) and which cannot be removed from the bird when its leg is fully grown. The ring must be one issued by one of the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ Approved Suppliers i.e. the British Bird Council or the International Ornithological Association.

3. The owner or keeper of any bird exhibited or to be sold under this licence will, if requested by an official of Natural Resources Wales or a Police Officer, make the bird available for a sample of blood, tissue or feather to be taken. Blood samples will be taken by a qualified veterinary surgeon. Such a sample may be used to establish the ancestry of the bird.

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

5. No person convicted of an offence to which this paragraph applies may use this licence unless, in respect of that offence, either (1) they were dismissed with an admonition, or (2) they are a rehabilitated person for the purposes of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and their conviction is treated as spent. A person may also use this licence where, in respect of such an offence, a court has made an order discharging them absolutely. This paragraph applies to offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Deer Act 1991, the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996, the Hunting Act 2004, the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (all as amended).

6. Failure to act within the purpose of this licence as set out in paragraph 2 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.

Notes

1. Birds listed on Schedule 3 Part 1 of the Act are permitted to be sold under the 1981 Act, provided they are bred in captivity and are ringed in accordance with the requirements set out in Section 6(5) of the 1981 Act and SI 1982/1220. Changes in the taxonomic status of Mealy Redpoll mean that it is now listed under Common Redpoll Carduelis flammea and, as such, is listed on Schedule 3 Part 1. However, the Mealy Redpoll has thick legs and it cannot wear the ring size specified in the regulations. This licence permits use of a suitable ring (size C).

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

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