Defra revokes farmers’ ban on shooting birds

Farmers welcome decision to withdraw bar on licences allowing them to kill birds such as crows and magpies

Natural England’s ban on pest bird shooting licences for farmers has been overturned following an intervention from Defra. Natural England had revoked three licences which let farmers shoot birds such as crows, magpies and pigeons after a legal challenge from Wild Justice, BBC presenter Chris Packham’s campaign group. This caused outrage as birds were able to decimate spring crops and peck the eyes of lambs.

NATURAL England’s ban on shooting licences enabling farmers to protect their land from “pest” birds has been revoked following an intervention from Defra.

Earlier this year, Natural England revoked three general licences which let farmers and conservationists shoot birds on a list of 16 including crows, magpies and pigeons after a legal challenge from Wild Justice, a group set up by BBC presenter Chris Packham.

This caused outrage and chaos in the countryside as pigeons were able to decimate spring crops and crows could peck the eyes of lambs unchallenged.

Natural England then began to issue some shooting licences – but these were allocated slowly on a bird-by-bird basis and conservationists argued that the licences were too stringent and not fit for purpose. Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, took control from Natural England and started a consultation into the licences.

A month later, he has reinstated three licences almost identical to the original but with a new stipulation that they do not apply in certain protection zones. Individual bird licences must be sought in these few cases.

Tim Bonner, the chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said: “Whilst we remain very concerned about the initial decision by Natural England to revoke the general licences, we are grateful for the secretary of state’s intervention. Since Defra has taken back control of the licences, we have seen significant progress and for most people managing most species the situation is now back as it was.”

Dominic Boulton, the Game Farmers’ Association chairman, said: “Our members will now be able to get back to business and control problem birds as before.”

Defra (The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has revealed that its call for evidence found that farmers faced widespread issues when the previous general licences were revoked.

More than 4,000 stakeholders responded to the survey. Mr Gove said: “I recognise the scale of interest and concern that was generated by Natural England’s decision to revoke three general licences and I am grateful to those thousands of individuals and groups who shared their experiences in responding to the call for evidence.

“This is a temporary way forward and does not cover European protected sites, where the law is more complicated, and we continue to engage with stakeholders. We will shortly set out details of a wider review of general licences, to provide a long-term licensing solution which balances the needs of users and wildlife.”