Change description : 2025-01-01 00:01:00: Updated this licence to cover the period 1 January to 31 December 2025. Reworded several sections to make the information clearer. [Guidance and regulation]
As an authorised person, you need a licence to capture, possess or transport live bats for the purpose of testing for European bat lyssavirus (EBLV), a type of rabies. You also need a licence to kill any bats with the virus.
You are an authorised person if you’re:
a bat worker registered or working with the Bat Conservation Trust
an employee of approved quarantine facilities engaged in official business
an employee of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) acting under the direction of APHA veterinary inspectors while engaged in official business
a member or fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
You do not need to apply for this general licence but you must meet its conditions and follow its instructions.
Updates to this page
Published 16 April 2015 Last updated 1 January 20242025
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Updated this licence to cover the period 1 January to 31 December 2025. Reworded several sections to make the information clearer.
There is an update to this licence for 1 January 2024.
Annual licence update, valid from 1 January 2023.
Annual licence update, valid from 1 January 2022.
Annual licence update.
Accessible version of licence added - HTML.
Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2020
Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2019
Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2018
Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2017
Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2016