Class Licences
On this page:
- Licences
- Application forms
- Which application form do I need?
- General licences
- Class licences
- Helpful hints on obtaining licences
- Licensing statistics
- Licensing in the marine environment
Related
- European protected species licensing
- What are Class Licences?
- Who can use a Class Licence?
- Registering to use a Class Licence
- Deregistration
- Reporting under the Class Licence system
- What activities and for which species?
- Class Licences issued in 2011
- Current licences (valid from January 1st 2012)
What are Class Licences?
Class Licences represent a ‘middle way’ between personal licences (tailored licences which you need to apply for and which are judged on a case by case basis) and General Licences (a set of standardised licences that anyone who satisfies the eligibility criteria may use).
Like General Licences, there is a set of standard Class Licences (see below), but unlike General Licences prospective users are required to register to use most Class Licences they wish to use and there is usually a requirement to submit an annual report on licence use.
Class Licences are used for situations where we would routinely issue a personal licence (thus making case by case assessment unnecessary) but where, for example, we need to closely monitor the level of licensed activity or where we need confirmation that licence users are sufficiently skilled or experienced to undertake the activity without risk to the conservation or welfare of the protected species.
Class Licences have a standard set of terms and conditions (which are publicly available)
The key features of a typical Class Licence are:
- You must be registered to use most Class Licences
- You need to apply to be registered for each licence you wish to use
- You remain eligible to use the Class Licence(s) for so long as you remain registered, and
- There is usually a recording requirement and some licences also require annual reporting
If there is no Class Licence or General Licence relevant to your situation you will need to apply for a personal licence; full details are available on our licences webpage.
Who can use a Class Licence?
This varies between licences. Each Class Licence has its own eligibility criteria, which are explained on the licence (see table below).
If you are eligible to use a licence, you are still required to register with Natural England before you may use the licence. If you haven’t registered (or otherwise been advised by Natural England that you are authorised to use the licence) then you are not entitled to rely on the licence. Using a licence without being registered is unlawful.
Registering to use a Class Licence
To register to use a Class Licence you need to follow the instructions given on the particular licence you are interested in using. Typically, licences either require that you will notify the Licensing Unit that you wish to use a licence or, in some case, you may be required to submit an initial application form. This approach is usually reserved for situations where we need evidence that you have the appropriate skills or experience to act under the licence.
Once registered to use a Class Licence, you are entitled to use that licence indefinitely so long as you satisfy its terms and conditions, including any recording and reporting requirements.
Deregistration
You may request to be removed from the register of Class Licence users at any time by contacting the Licensing Unit.
If there is a requirement to submit an annual report of activities carried out under a licence then failure to submit that report in a timely manner will lead to de-registration. If this happens you need to re-register before using the licence again.
Checking if someone is registered
Anyone seeking to confirm whether a person is registered to use a Class Licence should contact the Licensing Unit.
Reporting under the Class Licence system
Most Class Licences require an annual report of licence use to be submitted to Natural England, and where applicable, this is mandatory. What information needs to be included in the report and when this must be submitted is set out in each licence.
In most cases the information requested is required to satisfy legal obligations to report to the European Commission. Where appropriate, the information will also be made available to government departments, local biological record centres, researchers and non-governmental organisations involved in the conservation of these species to ensure we make the best possible use of the information.
What activities and for which species?
Class licences are issued for a range of activities, including the sale, to prevent damage or the spread of disease and educational or research purposes. All Class Licences and examples of when they may be used are listed below.
Many Class Licences include a full list of the species for which the activities can be carried out. Some Class Licences permit activities only in relation to certain species listed on Schedules associated with the legislation. For up to date information on the law including contents of these schedules, please go to www.legislation.gov.uk
and search for ‘Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981’. For Class Licences under The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (WML-CL01, WML-CL06, WML-CL07) a list of Annex IV species Habitats Directive: (125kb)
is available.
Class Licences issued in 2011
Two new Class Survey Licences were introduced in October 2011 (WML-CL08 and WML-CL09), there are Frequently Asked Questions: (188kb) available for these new licences. Two Class Licences were introduced in January 2011 (WML-CL06 and WML-CL07). Additionally four licences previously classified as General Licences are being released as Class Licences. These changes are detailed in our Class Licences summary table: (49kb) which also includes all General Licences. Please note that long running General Licence WML-GL02 was revoked at the end of 2010, and has been replaced by new Class Licence WML-CL01. Substantive changes to the conditions of this licence has not been made. A series of new Class Licences are being developed to replace personal licences for some low risk activities. Details will be made available soon. All licences can be downloaded from the table below.
Current licences (valid from January 1st 2012)
Please note that most Class Licences are re-issued on 1 January each year. When licences are renewed on 1 January changes may be made to the terms and conditions or to the accompanying advice. You are therefore advised to read the latest version of any licence you intend to use before you use it for the first time each calendar year. Only minor ammendments have been made to the 2012 licences: (141kb). Copies of 2011 Class Licences are available from the Wildlife Licensing Unit on request.
IMPORTANT
You may only use most of these licences if you are registered or authorised to do so by Natural England.
| Managing protected species causing problems | ||
|---|---|---|
| Description | Who can use this? | How to register See licences for full details |
| WML - CL02 To trap edible (or fat) dormice (Glis glis) to preserve public health or public safety, or to prevent damage: (144kb) | Any person who has registered may use this licence | You need to notify the Licensing Unit in writing that you wish to use the licence |
| WML - CL03 To catch and release certain birds (such as blackbirds) trapped in food production premises: (207kb) | This licence is intended for use by owners and managers of food premises & those authorised by them | You need to notify the Licensing Unit in writing that you wish to use the licence |
| WML - CL12 To kill or take certain wild birds to preserve air safety: (133kb) Licence report form: (220kb)  | Managers of aerodromes owned or licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority or the Ministry of Defence. Owners or occupiers of sites required under planning controls to manage wild birds to preserve air safety, or persons authorised by any of the former. | Registration not necessary but if you are not covered to use this licence please contact us for further advice |
| Possession of protected species | ||
|---|---|---|
| Description | Who can use this? | How to register See licences for full details |
| WML - CL01 Licence to possess and transport dead specimens and/or derivatives of wild plant and animal species listed on Annex IV and II(b) of the Habitats Directive for scientific or educational purposes to preserve public health or public safety, or to prevent damage: (133kb) This licence replaces 2010 WML-GL02 which has been revoked, there are no substantive changes to the conditions. | Museums, research or educational establishments listed on Annex A or B of the licence | You must notify the Licensing Unit in writing within one month of first possessing a specimen of one of the protected species |
| WML - CL06 Licence to possess and or transport dead specimens of species listed on Annex IVa of the EC Habitats Directive that were collected before 21 August 2007, for scientific or educational purposes: (135kb) | Any person who has registered may use this licence | You need to notify the Licensing Unit in writing that you wish to use the licence |
| Sale of protected species | ||
|---|---|---|
| Description | Who can use this? | How to register See licences for full details |
| WML - CL07 Licence to sell dead Schedule 5 species (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981) or dead Schedule 2 species (Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010) taken from the wild before 30 October 1981: (139kb) | Any person who has registered may use this licence | You must notify the Licensing Unit in writing within one month of first possessing a specimen of one of the protected species |
| Surveys for science and education | ||
|---|---|---|
| Description | Who can use this? | How to register See licences for full details |
| WML - CL08 To survey great crested newts for scientific (including research) or educational purposes - Level 1 excluding pitfall trapping : (219kb) Licence report form: (98kb) | Any person registered with Natural England may use this licence | Please use application form WML-A29: (173kb) to become registered |
| WML - CL09 To survey great crested newts for scientific (including research) or educational purposes - Level 2 all survey methods including pitfall trapping : (171kb) Licence report form: (98kb) Pitfall Trapping notification WML-A29-1: (198kb) | Any person registered with Natural England may use this licence | Please use application form WML-A29: (173kb) to become registered |
