Wildlife legislation
requirements for British taxidermists, antique dealers, auction
houses etc…
This information is to be taken as a 'rough guide', full details
from DEFRA in Bristol
Correct at Time
of Publication - March 2006 - Reader Advised to Check for Amendments
from UK Licensing Bodies
ANNEX A (Article 10)
All ANNEX A (Official
Journal or the European Communities) listed species require
European Community (Article 10) exemption certificates
(available from DEFRA). These species include ALL birds
of prey and owls, the European common otter (Lutra
lutra) and Scottish wild cat (Felis silvestris
grampia). Many antique pre 1st June 1947 (pre wildlife
legislation) specimens will be exempt. Article 10 certificates
cover the keeping for sale, display to the public, advertising
for sale and sale of specimens.
Official Journal of the
European Union, listing all ANNEX A, B & C species
(CITES_13322005.pdf). If in doubt LICENCE!
Application form for an
Article 10 certificate (FED 1012.doc)
Schedule 5
Some wild British species
of mammals, reptiles and amphibians also require a licence
under Schedule 5 of the 1981 Wildlife & Countryside Act.
Known as a Schedule 5 License (available from DEFRA).
These species include the pine marten (Martes martes)
and red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). The otter and wild
cat are also on this list so these species would require TWO
licenses.
Application to sell a
protected species: Animals or Plants listed on Schedule 5 of
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (WLF 14.pdf)
Keepers Log
ALL OTHER wild species of British birds
(with the exception of some game species), require the owner
to keep a Log detailing where and how they were acquired
and their subsequent purchaser details.
If in doubt, log ALL
specimens! Especially if dealing with species such as the
badger (Meles meles), which may not require specific licenses.
TAXIDERMISTS
It is advisable to request
a signed declaration from the supplier of a dead specimen stating
how it was acquired when dealing with ANNEX A or Schedule 5 'first
contact' specimens. (First Contact generally refers to taxidermists
dealing with specimens coming from the wild and being their first
time logged and certificated. NOT REQUESTED for subsequent sales).
Reporting
Sellers/keepers of logs of wild British
birds (including their parts and derivatives) are required to
submit an Annual Report to DEFRA (by 31st December
each year) detailing all ANNEX A species sold, for which
Article 10 certificates have been issued. Also a basic
report detailing ALL OTHER wild British birds sold (if
'first contact'), listing simply, species, cause of death
and numbers sold. It is also frequently a requirement of the
issue of a schedule 5 licence that a report/notification of its
sale is sent to the relevant issuing authority.
Example of Annual Report for Article 10
Species (.jpg image) Available from DEFRA.
Example of Annual Report for all other Wild British Bird Species
(Word.doc)
Taxidermists
If you are a taxidermist or deal in animal products you will
probably need to do ALL of the above.
Antique Dealers
If you are an antique dealer you may need to keep a log or apply
for Article 10 certificates or Schedule 5 licenses for items
produced after 1st June 1947.
Auction Houses
If you are an auction house you will need to check that your
clients are aware of this legislation and have applied for Article
10 certificates or Schedule 5 licences for items newer than 1st
June 1947, if this is a requirement for the species they are
selling.
Contact
Department for Environment Food &
Rural Affairs
Wildlife Licensing & Registration Service
Floor 1, Zone 17
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Temple Quay
BRISTOL
BS1 6EB
Tel: 0117 372 8692 or see web site
OR by keepers/sellers surname
A - B 0117 372 8293
C & S 0117 372 8293/8649/8777
D 0117 372 8619
E - F 0117 372 6095
G - J 0117 372 8649
K - N 0117 372 8120
O - R 0117 372 8777
T- Z 0117 372 8229
