Campaigners block farmers’ licence to kill nuisance birds
Landowners fear for crops as Natural England revokes old arrangement following Packham’s legal challenge
FARMERS have been banned from shooting “pest” birds on their land as Natural England has bowed to a legal challenge from environmentalists including Chris Packham.
Pigeons, magpies, Canada geese and crows were among the 16 birds it had been permissible to kill under general licence if they were causing damage to property or crops, or posing a health and safety issue.
Under the old laws, farmers did not have to ask permission to kill the animals or record their deaths or the reason for shooting them, but from today those who want to kill birds have to apply for an individual licence.
Farmers last night said they were furious that they could no longer carry out pest control on their property.
Chris Packham celebrated the news, and told The Daily Telegraph: “As the Government’s statutory body Natural England should be strictly about effecting proper wildlife conservation in the UK. The ethics of their bird killing licences have been questioned on several levels recently, and this result will ensure that current practices are reconsidered and amended for the benefit of wildlife and its proper and legal management by people.”
His Wild Justice group argued that the licensing was unlawful as landowners did not have to apply to the Government for a licence before killing birds. This made it impossible to tell if there was a humane alternative to shooting or if it was done for good reason.
Natural England has conceded that this could be the case, and said: “The change follows a legal challenge to the way the licences have been issued, which could mean users who rely on them are not acting lawfully.
“Natural England is working at pace to put in place over the next few weeks alternative measures to allow lawful control of these bird species to continue where necessary.”
The National Farmers’ Union said that this is the worst time for the general licence to be revoked as it means they cannot stop birds from destroying newly-sprouting crops.
Guy Smith, deputy president of the NFU, said: “[General licences] are absolutely necessary at this time of year when crops are particularly vulnerable to pests. For example, a flock of pigeons could decimate a farmer’s field of crops.
“We understand Natural England will be reissuing the licences from April 29 and for the NFU it is a matter of priority that they do that.”
The Countryside Alliance said the move is “completely impractical and irresponsible” and will result in “thousands of people unknowingly breaking the law”.
Tim Bonner, chief executive of the group, said: “To withdraw the historic ability to manage these species without individual licences at 36 hours’ notice is a recipe for disaster.”
Environmentalists have welcomed the license change. Chris Corrigan, the RSPB’S director for England, said: “This is a step in the right direction. We need a transparent system of licencing that everyone can be confident in.”
A spokesman for Wild Justice said: “This is a mess of Natural England’s making – they have operated an unlawful licensing system, and they have dillied and dallied over admitting it.”