SIC 01.70 275 enterprises in the UK
Hunting, trapping and related service activities
What this covers (15 activity descriptions)
- Animal hunting and trapping
- Bird skin production (from hunting)
- Furskin production (from hunting)
- Hunting
- Hunting or trapping of animals for food
- Hunting or trapping of animals for fur
- Hunting or trapping of animals for pets
- Hunting or trapping of animals for skin
- Hunting or trapping of animals for use in research
- Hunting or trapping of animals for use in zoos
- Reptile skin production (from hunting)
- Seal catching (land-based)
- Sea mammal catching (land-based)
- Walrus catching (land-based)
- Wild frog catching
What you must comply with
Unique to hunting, trapping and related service activities
Firearms certificate / shotgun certificate
Shotgun certificate for shotguns; firearms certificate for rifles. Granted by chief officer of police. Must demonstrate good reason, secure storage, fit and proper person. Separate legislation in Northern Ireland (Firearms (NI) Order 2004).
Deer stalking (Deer Act 1991)
Close seasons must be observed. Prohibited methods (e.g. vehicles, certain firearms below minimum calibre). Night shooting generally prohibited except under licence. DSC1/DSC2 qualifications industry standard. Scotland: Deer (Scotland) Act 1996.
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 compliance
Protects wild birds, scheduled animals and plants. Prohibits certain killing methods (poison, traps). General licences for pest control species. Individual licences from Natural England for otherwise prohibited activities. NatureScot in Scotland.
Game Act 1831 (close seasons and game dealing)
Establishes close seasons for game birds (pheasant, partridge, grouse, black game). Game dealers need a local authority licence. Note: Game Licences Act 1860 was repealed by Regulatory Reform (Game) Order 2007 — no longer need an excise game licence.
Applies to all hunting, trapping and related service activities
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
General duties to employees and others. Agriculture is one of the highest-risk sectors — farm fatality rate is 20x the all-industry average. HSENI enforces in Northern Ireland.
RIDDOR 2013 (farm accident reporting)
Must report work-related deaths, specified injuries, over-7-day incapacitation, occupational diseases and dangerous occurrences. Self-employed persons working on agricultural premises are covered.
Employers' Liability Insurance
Required for all employers. Sole traders and family farms with no employees exempt.
Guidance for this activity
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How to obtain a County Parish Holding (CPH) number before keeping cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, or poultry. Includes registration process, required information, and herd/flock mark allocation.
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What farmers need to know as delinked payments end in 2027. Covers payment reduction schedules (76% in 2025, 98% in 2026-2027), reference amount calculations, key dates, and how to replace lost income through Environmental Land Management schemes and other funding options.
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