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-heldhandheld or hand-propelled net to take birds whilst not in flight
Updated this licence to cover the period 1 January to 31 December 2025. Reworded several sections to make the information clearer. Updated licence condition 10 and the 'Avian influenza' information and advice note.
1 January 2024
There is an update to this licence for 1 January 2024.
1 January 2023
Annual licence update, valid from 1 January 2023.
1 January 2022
Annual licence update, valid from 1 January 2022.
1 January 2021
Annual licence update.
23 November 2020
Accessible version of licence added - HTML.
1 January 2020
Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2020
1 January 2019
Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2019
1 January 2018
Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2018
1 January 2017
Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2017
1 January 2016
Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2016
1 January 2015
updated new version of GL21 valid 1 January to 31 December 2015