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 - Updated March 2006
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
