This licence lets you remove abandoned or unsuccessful eggs from wild birds’ nests.
You can only use this licence if you’re the land owner, occupier or anyone authorised by the owner or occupier, or you’ve been authorised in writing by:
the local authority
any England, Scotland or Wales conservation body
a district board for fisheries or local fisheries committee
the Environment Agency
a water or sewerage undertaker
You can only remove eggs (or parts of eggs) from:
nest boxes that are not currently in use
1 September to 31 January
You do not need to apply for this general licence but you must meet its conditions and follow its instructions.
What you cannot do with this licence
This licence does not let you:
sell, hire, barter or exchange an egg (or part of an egg)
Updated this licence to cover the period 1 January to 31 December 2025. Reworded several sections to make the information clearer. Updated licence condition 4 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 updates, 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