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Legal status
The merlin is listed on Schedule 1 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, which affords special protection at all times. It is an offence to take, injure or kill a merlin or to take, damage or destroy its nest, eggs or young. It is also an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb the birds at or close to their nest during the breeding season.
Violation of the law can attract fines up to £5,000 per offence and/or a prison sentence of up to six months.
All merlins in captivity must be registered. Wild merlins are allowed to be kept in captivity only temporarily if they are injured, and then must be released back to the wild at the earliest opportunity. Captive-bred individuals can be legally kept, but these must be ringed and registered.
Sale or public display of merlins are controlled by Article 10 licence. All the licensing matters are dealt with by Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in Britain and by Department for Agriculture in Northern Ireland.