Policy paper

Gamebirds: decision to issue the modified GL45 gamebird general licence for 2024 to 2025

How Defra arrived at its decision to issue the modified GL45 gamebird general licence, valid from 7 June 2024 to 1 February 2025, which replaces the version published on 22 March 2024.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 12 April 2024
• Last updated: 18 July 2024 — See all updates

This was published under the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government

Applies to England

Documents

Defra’s 2024 Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) and decision to issue modified general licence GL45

PDF, 377 KB, 42 pages

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Natural England's statutory advice to Defra – 21 May 2024

PDF, 149 KB, 5 pages

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Gamebird wild bird risk assessment tool (GWRAT) methodology

PDF, 1.03 MB, 33 pages

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Details

Defra’s GL45 gamebird general licence allows an authorised person to release common pheasants or red-legged partridges on specified special protection areas (SPAs) or within their 500-metre buffer zones. 

These documents explain how Defra considered the evidence and came to the decision to issue the modified GL45 general licence for 2024 to 2025.

Published 12 April 2024
Last updated 18 July 2024 + show all updates

1. 18 July 2024

   Added the gamebird wild bird risk assessment tool (GWRAT) methodology.

2. 7 June 2024

   Updated Defra's 2024 Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) and Natural England's statutory advice to Defra.

3. 12 April 2024

   First published.