
Licensing news
Read seasonal updates on species licensing and hear about new best practice guidelines and application requirements.
Get the latest news about NatureScot licensing – from details of new application requirements to seasonal updates on species licensing.
Changes to grouse moor licences – November 2024
In July this year NatureScot introduced a licensing scheme for grouse shooting under the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024. The policy intention was for the licences to act as a deterrent to wildlife crime. We welcome the opportunity the Act provides to strengthen protections for wildlife and support nature recovery.
What changes have we made?
We have modified the licences to make two key changes. The first change is to the description of the land to which the licence relates. The second is to insert a new condition around wildlife crime.
Previously, our grouse licences covered the whole of the landholding. The changes we have made mean that, in future, it will be up to the person applying for the licence to specify the area to which the licence relates. We expect the area covered by the licence to be the full extent of the grouse moor.
At the same time, we have introduced a new condition to licences which will allow us to revoke the licence if raptor persecution which is connected to the grouse moor takes place outside of this licensed area.
Why have we made these changes?
Shortly after the scheme was launched our legal advice identified that, according to the legislation as introduced, it was up to the applicant to specify the area over which the licence should relate. Acting on our legal advice we took the decision to change the way we described the area of land covered by the licence to ensure our licensing approach was legally robust.
We have introduced the new condition to ensure that we can help meet the policy intent of the legislation to tackle raptor persecution.
We have made these changes to ensure that the grouse licences are legally robust, while continuing to act as a strong deterrent to wildlife crime.
Looking ahead
This is a new licence for NatureScot and, as with all our licences, we continually review and develop our processes to identify improvements.
Licensing service update – June 2024
We will prioritise and aim to process urgent public health and safety and urgent prevention of serious damage licence applications as soon as possible. For other non-urgent licence applications we have a current turnaround time of approximately 3 to 4 weeks. Note this turnaround time is likely to increase during and after key holiday period.
To avoid any unnecessary delays we advise anyone looking to obtain a licence to submit their licence application at their earliest opportunity.
Our Licensing helpline (01463 725364) is currently only available for leaving voicemails, therefore if you have a general enquiry please refer to the relevant page on the licensing section of our website as it may take us some time to call you back.
If you have a query which you can’t find the answer to online then email [email protected] in the first instance. We will aim to respond to all email queries within 5 working days. As our offices are currently closed please don’t send us any mail, instead, email all correspondence.
Species Licensing Review - Terms of Reference
The Species Licensing Review will focus on the procedures which NatureScot has in place for licensing lethal control, look at ways to improve openness and transparency and will explore the potential of charging for licensing. Further details are provided in these Terms of Reference.
Deer authorisations and renewals – March 2024
Deer managers will now be able to apply for or renew a deer management authorisation online:
- apply for a new authorisation
- renew an existing authorisation (out of season and night shooting only)
The new digital form is a key part of work to modernise deer management systems in Scotland and streamline previous manual processes.
Follow the progress of our online licensing system.
Licensing Data - March 2024
Data on the number of licences issued for 2023 is now live along with the number of licences issued for hunting with dogs between November 2023 and 29th February 2024.
Fit and competent - September 2023
Deer controllers can now apply online to join the fit and competent register or renew their status.
The new digital form is part of a wider project to modernise NatureScot’s deer management services.
The online service is quicker and easier both for applicants and staff to use, allowing NatureScot to process applications more efficiently.
Planning Permissions and Consents - August 2023
A protected species licence application for development projects should not be made until the necessary planning permissions and consents are in place. This should be considered when signing the relevant licence application declaration.
Contact
If you already have a licence number, include it in the subject line of your email, or have it to hand when you call.