Threatened lapwing and lark left to the predation of uncontrolled pests
SIR – I have every sympathy for Penelope Reid’s frustration (Letters, April 29) with the new Natural England licensing situation for controlling “pest” birds, but I fear it is only going to get worse.
Yesterday I went on to Natural England’s site to apply for a new general licence under one of the four allowable scenarios to control winged vermin. There is no provision on that form for the protection of threatened species such as lapwing, lark or turtle dove. We have these birds on our land in small numbers after 30 years of combining set-aside, the Countryside Stewardship Scheme and rewilding.
In my book, corvids and magpies plundering the nests of these intrepid birds constitute “serious damage” as much as harm to crops, which the form mentions. I applaud the National Farmers’ Union and other land-care organisations (Letters, April 29) in lobbying Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, to get this mess sorted out.
SIR – Provided he does not find the inquiry “absurd”, or “regrets” having to spend his valuable time in response, perhaps Lord Blencathra (Letters, April 29) could tell us why Natural England, of which he is deputy chairman, did not make these farreaching changes to the licensing system once the necessary steps were in place.
SIR – It was distressing to read of the consequences for songbirds of Natural England’s decision to alter licensing arrangements for the control of corvids and other pest species.
This decision was evidently reached as a result of campaigning and legal action by a campaign organisation known as Wild Justice, in which Chris Packham is a leading light.
He is a presenter of BBC’S Springwatch and other programmes, and exploits his persona for campaigning. If the BBC (or any other broadcaster) allows him on to our screens again after this, we should assume that they back his campaigns or at least condone what he has done. John S Burton
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
SIR – The campaign group Wild Justice seems to be waging war on farming generally. Perhaps they should call themselves anti-cultivationists rather than environmentalists.
My husband and I lived in a farming community until recently and we learnt much of what farmers do for the environment. When you discover that crows are attacking your lambs, you do not reach for pen and paper. M A Crew
Liverpool
SIR – When the pests have had their way and much of their prey fails to appear next year, it will be farmers’ mismanagement that will be blamed by the unaccountable Natural England, not its own politically skewed decision.
John Brandon
Tonbridge, Kent
SIR – My garden has been invaded by a squadron of fat wood pigeons that bully the songbirds attempting to use the bird-feeders. I have shot two. Can I now expect a visit from the pigeon police?
Alan F Judge
Deeping St James, Lincolnshire