Mealy redpoll: licence to sell and exhibit ringed mealy redpoll (GL15)

This general licence is for the sale, public exhibition and competitive showing of captive-bred mealy redpoll (Carduelis flammea flammea). With the licence you can:

• sell, offer to sell, own and transport for the purpose of selling mealy redpoll
• advertise that you’re selling mealy redpoll
• exhibit or competitively show mealy redpoll

You do not need to apply for this general licence but you must meet its conditions and follow its instructions. This includes letting a vet take samples to confirm the bird’s ancestry if Defra, Natural England or the police demand it.

This licence only covers birds that have been bred in captivity. To count, the bird’s parents must have both been in lawful captivity when the egg it was hatched from was laid.

Using the correct ring

Any birds sold under this licence must be ringed with a size C ring that’s been issued by one of Defra’s approved suppliers (such as the British Bird Council or the International Ornithological Association).

A size C ring must be used because changes in the taxonomic status of mealy redpoll mean that it is now listed under common redpoll (Carduelis flammea). As mealy redpoll legs are too thick to use the sizes specified in schedule 3 part 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act this licence allows you to use a bigger ring.