Form

Wild birds: licence to sell them without the correct rings (A20 and LR20)

Apply for a licence to sell captive birds without the correct close ring (excluding diurnal birds of prey) and find out how to report your actions.

Applies to England

Documents

Application for a licence to sell captive bred wild birds which are not fitted with the correct close ring (A20)

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Report your actions (LR20)

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Details

Wild birds must be fitted with the correct close ring before you can sell them. If they’re not, you must apply for a licence.

Licences are free. Natural England will decide whether to issue a licence within 30 working days of receiving your application.

What you must include in your application

On your application form (A20), for each bird you want to sell you must include its:

  • species
  • identification mark and marker number
  • year of hatching
  • age and sex
  • parents’ details, if bred in captivity

You should include details of a licence for captive birds and breeder details.

You must provide evidence of:

  • your qualifications
  • why you are applying and the aims of killing the wild birds
  • conservation considerations
  • authorisation from the landowner or occupier

Send your completed application form to Natural England using the details on the form.

How to report your actions

You must report any actions you took using this licence on the report form (LR20) on this page. You must report no later than 2 weeks after your licence expires, even if you’ve taken no action. Send your completed form by post or email to Natural England using the details on the form.

Updates to this page

Published 28 February 2014
Last updated 31 March 2022 + show all updates
  1. We've replaced the report form (LR20/LR21).

  2. Updated version of application form and report form added.

  3. First published.

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