Farming

Farming: Other species

Small mammals

Small mammals are an important part of UK biodiversity, but some such as rabbits, grey squirrels and rats, can cause problems for land and property owners.

However, it is important to know the legal position if you need to control any small mammal species because some are protected by law and control may require a licence.

The sections below provide an overview of the main species of  small mammals and their control:

  • rabbits
  • moles
  • non-native mammals: coypu, musk rat, mink and grey squirrel
  • protected mammals
  • the edible (or fat) dormouse
  • resolving problems involving mammals: foxes, rats, mice and mink
  • licence applications for the control of mammals

Rabbits

Controlling rabbit populations can be difficult because of the species’ capacity to reproduce. The aim of control should be to reduce numbers to a level at which damage is economically acceptable.

Rabbits do not respect boundaries, so the most effective results will be achieved if control is also undertaken on adjoining land at the same time.

Specific advice on options including cage trapping and rabbit-proof fencing is provided in a series of Natural England leaflets, which include.

  • Pests Act 1954 – Control of Rabbits: information for occupiers of land
  • Rabbits: general advice on damage and control
  • Use of fencing to prevent damage
  • Rabbits: use of cage-trapping to prevent agricultural damage
  • Badger gates in rabbit-proof fencing

If rabbits on a neighbour’s land are causing serious damage and discussions with them fail to resolve the problem, you can refer the matter to Natural England’s Wildlife Management and Licensing Service.

Where a complaint is justified, Defra and Natural England have powers to require rabbit control is carried out. If this is not done, it may arrange for the necessary work to be undertaken at the expense of the occupier, who could also be liable to a fine.

If rabbits are harboured on land owned by Network Rail you can call the company using Network Rail's National Helpline on 08457 114141.

Moles

Although often not seen, the results of a mole’s tunnelling can cause a lot of damage in gardens, amenity areas and in agriculture.

For farmers, contamination of grass by soil from molehills can affect the quality of silage being produced, and  there is a risk of damaging grass-cutting machinery. Mole runs may also disturb roots and adversely affect plant growth.

Natural England produces a general guidance leaflet for controlling moles. Where control measures can be justified, it is best carried out between October and April. There are two main methods:

  • poisoning with aluminium phosphide
  • trapping

Protected mammals

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1994 certain mammals are protected and cannot be killed or taken except under licence.

Licences may only be issued for certain purposes for example:

  • preventing serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber or any other form of property or to fisheries.
  • preserving public health or public safety
  • preventing the spread of disease

You can view a full list of animals protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and those that may not be killed by certain methods (PDF), on the JNCC website. You can also view a full list of European Protected Species under the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1994.

If you do need to control a protected species you should contact the Natural England Wildlife Management and Licensing Service who may issue a licence to allow the killing, obstructing, disturbing or taking of a mammal that would otherwise be protected. 

The edible (or fat) dormouse

The edible dormouse can cause serious damage to, for example, growing timber and electric cable in roof spaces. But it  is now a protected species, and certain methods of killing or taking are prohibited unless a licence has been issued by Natural England’s Wildlife Management and Licensing Service.

Occupiers of land may however, kill or take edible dormice by any non-prohibited method, such as shooting, without needing a licence.

Keeping non-native mammals

Under the Destructive Imported Animals Act 1932 you may only keep certain non-native mammals in captivity under the authority of a licence. Section 8 of the Act permits the issue of special licences to keep the following species for exhibition, scientific research or other ‘exceptional’ purposes:

  • mink (Mustela vison),
  • coypu (Myocaster coypus)
  • musk rat  (Fiber ziberthicus or Ondatra ziberthica) and
  • grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis)

The licence is available from the Natural England’s Wildlife Management and Licensing Service. There is a charge of £185 for licences for coypu, but not mink or grey squirrels.

The release into the wild of animal species which are not native to Great Britain, whatever their proposed use, is prohibited by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

The Act also prohibits the release of certain animals which are already established in the wild in Great Britain. The release of non-native species may be authorised under licence.

Resolving problems involving mammals

Problems can often be resolved without recourse to a licence. Additional guidance can be obtained from the the Wildlife Management and Licensing Service. Natural England produces a series of leaflets on the more common problem species, including:

  • Foxes: advice to householders
  • Rodents: grey squirrel in urban situations
  • Rodents: house mouse
  • Rats: options for controlling infestations
  • Rats: control on livestock units
  • Controlling mink

Licence Applications for the control of mammals

Links

Further information

  • Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) - 02476 696 699
  • Network Rail's National helpline - 08457 114141
  • Wildlife Administration Unit - 0845 6014523

 

Page last modified: 3 March 2009
Page published: 1 July 2006

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs