Ruddy ducks: licence to kill or take them (GL21)
Get a general licence to kill or take ruddy ducks, or damage or destroy their nests and eggs.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
This general licence allows authorised people to kill or take ruddy ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis) for conservation purposes. It also allows them to destroy or damage the ducks’ nests and eggs.
You are an authorised person if you’re:
- the land owner, occupier or anyone authorised by the owner or occupier
- authorised in writing by the local authority
- authorised in writing by any England, Scotland or Wales conservation body, a district board for fisheries or local fisheries committee
- authorised in writing by the Environment Agency, a water undertaker or a sewerage undertaker
You do not need to apply for this general licence but you must meet its conditions and follow its instructions.
How you must use this licence
With this licence you can use a:
- semi-automatic weapon
- hand-held or hand-propelled net to take birds whilst not in flight
- cage trap which does not have to satisfy section 8(1) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act
You must kill birds in a quick and humane manner and observe other animal welfare laws. You cannot sell the birds or their eggs for human consumption.
Updates to this page
Last updated 1 January 2024 + show all updates
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There is an update to this licence for 1 January 2024.
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Annual licence update, valid from 1 January 2023.
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Annual licence update, valid from 1 January 2022.
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Annual licence update.
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Accessible version of licence added - HTML.
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Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2020
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Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2019
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Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2018
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Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2017
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Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2016
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updated new version of GL21 valid 1 January to 31 December 2015
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First published.