Licences and permits

The permissions a business needs before it can trade, each one tied to the law that creates it and to the body that issues it. We point at GOV.UK for fees and forms, and never copy them.

10 of 426 licences in England for Agriculture: crops and plants

Choose from all 48 activities

A

Abstract water (England)

If you abstract water or plan to, you may need to apply for an abstraction licence.

Environment Agency · England

Any trade

Aerial application certificate for dropping material from an aircraft or drone (agriculture, horticulture, forestry)

You need an aerial application certificate from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to drop articles from an aircraft for agriculture, horticulture or forestry: apply …

CAA · England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Agriculture: crops and plants · Transport and logistics, including aviation

Aerial application of plant protection products: permission to spray from an aircraft or drone

You must get an aerial spraying permit from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) before you apply a plant protection product from an aircraft, …

HSE · England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Agriculture: crops and plants · Transport and logistics, including aviation

F

Flood risk activities (England)

You may need an environmental permit to do work in or by a main river, flood defence structure or sea defence, or in a …

Environment Agency · England

Any trade

G

Goods vehicle operator licences

You need a goods vehicle operator’s licence if your business uses a goods vehicle with either a gross plated weight (the maximum weight that …

Traffic Commissioners · England, Wales and Scotland

Any trade

I

Impound water (England)

If you impound water, or plan to, you may need to apply for an impounding licence.

Environment Agency · England

Any trade

L

Local authority environmental permits (England and Wales)

Permit to carry out Part A(2) or Part B activities or run a Part A(2) or Part B installation or mobile plant.

Your council · England and Wales

Any trade

P

Pesticide approval

You need approval from the Heath and Safety Executive (HSE) Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) to sell, distribute or store new pesticides in the UK

HSE · England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Agriculture: crops and plants · Chemicals and petroleum · Environment: management and waste

U

Using, treating, storing and disposing of waste (England)

You may need an environmental permit if your business uses, recycles, treats, stores or disposes of waste or mining waste.

Environment Agency · England

Any trade

W

Weighbridge operator certificate

Contact your council for a certificate of competence to operate a chargeable weighbridge

Your council · England, Wales and Scotland

Any trade

Checking approvals more broadly?

A licence is one of several things you may need before your first day of trading. The pre-trading quick check walks the registrations, insurances and approvals alongside it.

Run the pre-trading quick check

Not sure which of these apply to you?

Our guides on finding a licence and dealing with your local council walk through the questions that decide it.

Find a licence