Wildlife Licensing - Ravens
Licences to kill or take ravens are issued by Scottish Government usually to help reduce predation during the lambing season, and to a lesser extent, predation outwith the lambing season, or to prevent serious damage to foodstuffs for livestock.
Licences may be issued under section 16(1), (2) and (4) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) by Scottish Government and Scottish Natural Heritage for certain purposes specified in the Act.
Please note that the Scottish Government cannot issue a licence to control wild birds unless it can be established that there is no satisfactory alternative. This means that there should be evidence in your application that non-lethal methods, such as scaring, proofing and other steps to deter the birds causing the problem have been attempted unsuccessfully, or that there is good reason to believe that they would not be effective.
How to apply for a licence
Scottish Government
Application forms and guidance notes for a licence for the purpose of preventing serious damage to livestock or foodstuffs for livestock may be obtained from your local Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate (SGRPID) office. Please contact your local SGRPID office for advice on ravens and licensing.
Completed applications should be returned to your local SGRPID office.
Advice
There are various organisations able to provide advice on ravens including: