Licence to Stop Damage to Flora and Fauna by Protected Wild Birds or by Protected Wild Animals

Section 42 of the Wildlife Act, 1976 (as amended) provides, inter alia, that where protected wild animals or birds are causing serious damage to:

• food (including human food products and animal feeds), livestock, poultry or agricultural crops (including vegetables or fruit) either on pasture or on cultivated land
• pen-reared wild birds on any land
• other fauna
• flora
• a woodland or a forest plantation,
• a fishery
• buildings and other structures and their contents,
• aquaculture installations

The owner or occupier of the property to which the damage is being caused, may apply to the Minister for a permission under this section.

Applications for permissions should be emailed to: wildlifelicence@npws.gov.ie

Applications are assessed by NPWS Regional Staff to determine if serious damage is being caused and if so, the most practical method of stopping or controlling the problem. This assessment could include a visit to an applicant’s premises.  In this regard the conservation status of the particular species involved is given every consideration. The decision made to grant or refuse the permit is made by an officer designated by the Minister to issue licences on his/her behalf.

Deer

An OSI, land registry or DAFM colour map of sufficient quality and scale, showing the landowner or legal occupier’s name, address, townland(s) and Folio Number(s), where applicable, must be included with new applications.

Any application requesting the use of a lamp, thermal imager or night vision scope must include a copy of any nominated stalker’s valid training certificate(s). Additionally, a copy of the nominated stalker’s restricted firearm certificate(s) must be included if the use of a mounted thermal imager or mounted night vision scope is requested.

Download the application form to control wild deer here: Section 42: Deer Application Form

Protected Wild Birds

All wild birds are protected under national and EU law.

Download the Section 42 application form to control birds here: Section 42: Birds Application Form.

Wild Bird Declaration:

The Minister for Housing, Local Government & Heritage has signed the State-wide Declaration to allow the control of certain wild bird species that are causing damage to crops, livestock and fauna or in the interests of public health and safety. Further information about the Wild Bird Declaration can be found here: EU Birds Directive Article 9 Derogations.

Protected Wild Animals

Download the Section 42 application form to control animals here: Section 42: Animals Application Form.

You cannot apply for a Section 42 permit for any Annex IV species (see table below). If you wish to disturb any Annex IV species, you must apply for a Derogation Licence. Further information on applying for a derogation licence can be found here: Application for Derogations.

Applications are considered on their merits in accordance with the Statutory Obligations of the Minister set out in the Wildlife Act, 1976 (as amended).