Integrated Natural Resource Scheme: project delivery: guidance on predator control in landscape-scale land management projects

This guidance provides a framework for the ethical, legal, and ecologically sound use of predator control as part of landscape-scale conservation and land management projects in Wales. It is intended to support practitioners, landowners, and funding bodies in ensuring that predator control measures:

• align with Welsh Government policy and legislation
• are evidence-based, proportionate, and humane
• contribute to the conservation of priority species and the resilience of ecosystems
• are eligible for public funding under schemes such as the Nature Networks Fund, Integrated Natural Resources Scheme, Ffermio Bro and the Sustainable Farming Scheme

Welsh legislation and biodiversity duties

• The Environment (Wales) Act 2016, Section 6, places a duty on public authorities to “maintain and enhance biodiversity” and “promote the resilience of ecosystems”
• The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 sets out basic restrictions within the UK
• The Agriculture (Wales) Act 2023 bans the use of specific predator methods and requisite changes in Wales to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
• The Animal Welfare Act 2006 – reasonable steps must be taken to ensure that the welfare needs of all animals under control of man (including those caught in a trap) are met
• The Code of Practice for Species Control Provisions outlines the use of Species Control Agreements and Orders, with safeguards for animal welfare and non-target species

Predator management in the Welsh landscape context

In the absence of populations of natural apex predators in the UK, Welsh Government recognises that certain generalist species—such as foxes and crows—may exert unsustainable pressure on vulnerable wildlife, particularly ground-nesting birds. In such cases, targeted and proportionate predator control may be necessary to support species recovery and ecosystem resilience.

However, we do not support the widespread or indiscriminate removal of native predators from managed landscapes. Predator management should aim to emulate the ecological role of absent apex predators, helping to restore a balanced predator-prey dynamic. The goal is to reduce —not eliminate — predation pressure on vulnerable species.

We also emphasise the importance of considering how habitat management decisions influence predator behaviour and abundance. For example, fragmented woodland edges can increase predation risk in adjacent upland breeding habitats. Integrated land management approaches should therefore account for these ecological interactions to support biodiversity outcomes.

Wider UK conservation position

• Predator control is recognised as a legitimate conservation tool when used to protect vulnerable species, particularly ground-nesting birds such as curlew, lapwing, and golden plover.
• Several third sector, conservation led organisations support predator control where it is:
  
  • necessary to prevent population declines
  • conducted under strict welfare and ecological criteria
  • complemented by habitat restoration and monitoring

Predator control should be:

A. Evidence-based

• Justified by robust ecological data showing predation as a limiting factor for target species.
• Supported by monitoring before, during, and after intervention.

B. Proportionate, legal and targeted

• Always consider non-lethal methods of solving problems with predators and only use lethal methods if the alternatives are impractical, prohibitively expensive or would not be effective.
• Focused on specific predator species known to impact conservation targets (e.g., foxes, corvids, american mink).
• Must comply with all legislation such as the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
• Any control of carrion crow to protect the eggs or chicks of certain listed wild birds must be undertaken in accordance with General Licence 004 issued by Natural Resources Wales under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is noted that under general licence on corvids:
  
  • only carrion crow can be taken/killed
  • it is restricted to control to protect eggs and chicks only (not adult birds) and species that can be protected are listed in an annex on the general licence (e.g. lapwing and curlew are both listed as species that can be protected)
  • because only eggs and chicks can be protected, crows can only be taken/killed from 1 Feb to 31 August. The licence is not valid outside those dates
   
• You must not use any bow or crossbow or any explosive other than ammunition for a firearm
• No indiscriminate methods must be used including any snares (also known as humane cable restraints) or glue traps (in alignment with Agriculture (Wales) Act 2023). The use of these methods is banned in Wales.

C. Humane and ethical

• Compliant with the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and relevant codes of practice.
• Ensure the welfare needs of each animal are met and ensure non-target species are safeguarded.
• Ensure welfare needs of trapped animals, including birds used as decoys are met.
• Decoy traps can only be utilised when:
  
  • all other forms of legal predator control and management have been discounted
  • with specific agreement from Welsh Government
  • following prescribed usage and labelling (further information follow where appropriate)

D. Integrated with habitat management

• Predator control should not be used in isolation but as part of a broader strategy including: 
  
  • habitat restoration
  • nest protection
  • community engagement
   

Predator control may be eligible for public funding when:

• it is part of a species recovery plan (e.g., Curlew Wales Action Plan)
• cleared by Welsh Government or Natural Resources Wales (NRW) through a Predator Control Management plan and any variations thereof to be submitted in accordance to the terms and conditions of a grant scheme
• it contributes to the objectives of Welsh Government grant schemes such as Nature Networks Programme, Integrated Natural Resources Scheme, or relevant layers of the Sustainable Farming Scheme
• it aligns with the Environment (Wales) Act 2016, Agriculture (Wales) Act 2023 and supports Section 7 Priority Species
• it is underwritten, approved, or delivered in partnership with NRW.

• Develop a Predator Management Plan: Include objectives, target species, methods, monitoring, and review.
• Engage Stakeholders: Collaborate with project partners, local communities, farmers, third party eNGOs where appropriate, and regulators (NRW and WG).
• Monitor Outcomes: Use breeding success, population trends, and habitat condition as indicators.
• Report Transparently: Document actions and outcomes for funders and public accountability.

This guidance will be reviewed periodically to reflect:

• changes in legislation or policy
• new scientific evidence
• feedback from funded projects and stakeholders.
  
  Any legislative changes will take immediate effect and must be adhered to. It is recognised that this may be to the detriment of the project delivery and/or incur additional costs and/or financial losses.