Badgers: licences to prevent serious damage
NatureScot can issue licences to prevent serious damage by badgers to land, crops, poultry or other property.
Badgers are generally very shy and secretive creatures, which usually coexist peacefully with humans. But on rare occasions badgers can cause damage to gardens, crops or property.
In most cases, this can be resolved by ensuring that badgers can’t access the affected area. If this isn’t possible, and if serious damage might occur to the property, we may be able to issue a licence to prevent such damage.
How to apply
To apply for a licence to prevent serious damage to land, crops, poultry or any other property, email [email protected].
You should include:
- your name, address and telephone number
- the address where damage is occurring
- details of the serious damage experienced
- details of measures taken to prevent damage
Badger Ecologist licence
Badger Ecologist licences can be issued to permit works with low conservation impacts to go ahead (if certain criteria are met) for the purposes of development, preventing serious damage, forestry and agricultural operations.
If you are an experienced badger ecologist in Scotland and you would like to apply for the Badger Ecologist licence please read the Badger Ecologist licence - an ecologist's guide to check you meet the criteria and for information on how to apply.
Licence changes and renewals
You should get in touch if you wish to amend a licence. But check your licence conditions first: you may be able to appoint agents and assistants without having to get them named on your licence.
Find out about adding persons to a licence.
You must also remember to contact us to renew your licence. Licences aren’t renewed automatically.
Find out more
Guidance notes for providing supporting information for badger licence applications
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.
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