Advertising items for sale.

The trade in taxidermy specimens in the UK is governed by two main regulations. Each regulation, depending on what species you are trading in, has it own set of criteria.

Species covered under The Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (WCA) are traded either under a General Licence (Birds) or in the case of other protected species such as Reptiles/Insects etc under an individual Schedule 5 licence. To advertise a bird species under the WCA therefore is no problem, as the General licence covers you for advertising for sale, keeping for sale and making commercial gain etc. The important thing to remember is that some species (birds of prey/Owls etc) are also listed on EC Regs 338/97 (updated 1332/05) - and therefore an Article 10 permit may be required PRIOR TO ADVERTISING for sale.

For other species/Reptile etc - those species listed under (Sales) Schedule 5 of the WCA, will require a licence should you "expose for sale". Changes to regulations have removed the majority of Mammals previously listed on to the Habitats Regulation (for sales purposes). 2 commonly traded species do remain however (Red Squirrel - Sciurus vulgaris and Pine Marten - Martes martes) - but in England these are covered by a new General Licence, so no other licence is required. Scotland has yet to confirm if they have followed suit. With Schedule 5 species it is therefore necessary that you have your licence in place before advertising for sale. If the species is also listed on EC Regs 338/97 (updated 1332/05) then an Individual Article 10 licence may also be required PRIOR TO ADVERTISING FOR SALE.(see below). For a list of species covered by these Acts, see Species Listings.

Certain species such as those listed Annex 1V of the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulation ( inc. Bats; Dormouse; Otter & Scottish Wildcat) may have further limitations/requirements. See Habitats Reg.under VARIOUS REGULATIONS.

Under EC Regs 338/97 (updated 1332/05) the advertising for sale of any species so listed in Annex "A" is an offence unless you have the appropriate Article 10 Licence prior to advertising. The exception to this rule is if the specimen was originally acquired and worked prior to 1947 - and you can "prove" that is the case (or at least answer any questions asked)

For a list of the commonly traded species listed under Annex "A" - please see Species Listings.

Species such as "vermin"; Game; & Fish (with one or two exceptions) require no licence prior to advertising.

 

 

This company or individual cannot accept any responsibility for information given that is either misinterpreted by the author or the recipient and which is based either on experience gained or a matter of law where the precedence is yet to be decided by a court of law. Any information or guidence given is purely an opinion, therefore it is recommended that accredited legal advise is sought where appropriate.