Change of https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wild-birds-and-animals-licence-to-possess-samples

Change description : 2026-01-01 00:01:00: Updated this licence to cover the period 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030. [Guidance and regulation]

Showing diff : 2025-01-01 00:27:06.140123841 +00:00..2026-01-01 01:11:26.570973936 +00:00

Statutory guidance

Wild birds and animals: licence to possess samples (GL10)

If you're a laboratory or scientific institution, use this licence to hold tissue samples from wild birds and animals during investigations into offences.

Applies to England

Documents

Details

This licence lets you hold biological samples (including blood, DNA and other tissue) from birds and wild animals taken as part of an investigation if you’re a laboratory or scientific institution.

You can only hold onto the sample during an investigation into offences under part 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

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 1 January 2015

Last updated 1 January 20252026 + show href="#full-history">+ show all updates
    1. Updated this licence to cover the period 1 January to 31 December 2025. Reworded several sections to make the information clearer.

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Update history

2026-01-01 00:01
Updated this licence to cover the period 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030.

2025-01-01 00:01
Updated this licence to cover the period 1 January to 31 December 2025. Reworded several sections to make the information clearer.

2024-01-01 00:01
There is an update to this licence for 1 January 2024.

2023-01-01 00:15
Annual licence update, valid from 1 January 2023.