Grouse and related licenses - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Grouse, Muirburn & Wildlife Trap Licences
Background & Context
The Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024 introduces three new licences (taking and killing of red grouse, muirburn and use of certain wildlife traps) and two Codes of Practice (for grouse moor management and for muirburn).
The licences are being introduced to support the important role that moorlands can play in providing habitats for distinctive biodiversity and in storing significant amounts of carbon.
The dates when the licences will come into effect will be set by the Scottish Government through agreed parliamentary processes. The dates indicated below are therefore based on expectations of when the various provisions are likely to commence.
Grouse Licence & Code of Practice
Why is the licence being introduced?
The grouse licence is being introduced to help tackle raptor persecution and to help ensure that grouse moors are managed sustainably.
Where will the licence apply?
Grouse licences will apply to all landholdings used for the taking of killing of red grouse whether that is walked up or driven grouse shooting or a combination. Shooting or taking a red grouse from an area without a licence would be considered an offence.
Who will need a licence?
The licence holder will be the landowner or the person who formally holds the legal right to take or kill grouse. Not everyone who shoots a red grouse will require a licence but the land over which they are taken or shot must be covered by a valid licence.
When will the licence be introduced?
The commencement dates for the Wildlife Management & Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024 have not yet been set but we aim to have the licence and the Code of Practice available in summer 2024 ahead of this year’s grouse shooting season.
What will the licence application process look like?
The licence application will be a simple online process. A non-digital application will also be available for anyone unable to access the online system.
What will be in the Code of Practice?
We are working with stakeholders through a Grouse Code Working Group to develop a Grouse Code of Practice. The Code will set out the regulatory requirements associated with grouse moor management and will provide links to Best Practice guidance. Compliance with the Code will be a condition of the licence. The Code will set out the agreed standards to which grouse moors are operating.
Muirburn Licence & Code
Why is the licence being introduced?
The muirburn licence is being introduced to help ensure that all muirburn is carried out by suitably trained individuals in a way which supports land management, biodiversity and net zero targets. Muirburn is a skilled land management activity. When used appropriately, muirburn has the potential to help reduce the risks of wildfire. When not used appropriately it can damage sensitive habitats such as peatlands and woodlands.
What will the licence cover?
The muirburn licence will apply to all muirburn including that carried out on grouse moors, crofting areas, farmland and for conservation purposes. Any muirburn carried out will have to fit one of the licensable purposes set out in the Act. These are divided into those that apply to muirburn on peatland and those that apply to muirburn on non-peatland.
The licensable purposes for non-peatland include:
- to manage the habitats of game or wildlife
- to improve grazing potential for livestock
- for conservation of the natural environment
- to prevent or reduce the risk of wildfire causing damage to habitats, people or property
- and for research
Peatland licensable purposes include:
- for restoring natural environments
- for preventing or reducing the risk of wildfires damaging habitats, people or property
- and for research
Who will be the licence holder?
The licence holder will be the landowner or individual/s who are responsible for and involved with carrying out muirburn.
When will the licence be introduced?
We are working on the basis of having the licence and the Code of Practice available ahead of the 2025 muirburn season.
What will the licence look like?
The licence application will be an online process. It will require maps of the areas where muirburn is planned along with details of the licensable purpose being applied for, and whether the muirburn will be on peatland or non-peatland. A non-digital application will be available for anyone not able to access the online system.
What will be in the Muirburn Code?
We are working with stakeholders through a Muirburn Code Working Group to revise the current Muirburn Code. The Code will set out the regulatory requirements associated with muirburn and will provide links to Best Practice guidance. Compliance with the Code will be a condition of the licence.
Wildlife Trapping Licence
Why is the licence being introduced?
The wildlife trapping licence is being introduced to help ensure that certain wildlife traps are used in accordance with the law.
What will the licence cover?
The licence will apply to traps covered by the Spring Traps Approval Order for mammals (e.g. DOC and Magnaum traps) and live cage traps for birds e.g. Larsen traps. Trapping birds for ringing purposes is controlled separately through a BTO licence.
Who will be the licence holder?
The licence holder will be the individual who is responsible for setting and deploying the trap(/s). The licence holder will need to have undertaken an assured training course.
When will the licence be introduced?
We aim to introduce the licence early in 2025.
What will the licence application look like?
The licence will be a simple online process. As with other licences there will be a non-digital version available for anyone not able to access the online system.
