NGO highlights predator problem

The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation has gone on the offensive about the damage predators are doing without licensed control. It has launched a blog, Wildlife Licensing Crisis, highlighting what can occur when such birds are not properly controlled. In particular, it focuses on the lack of licences issued by Natural England for predatory birds as the cause of the problem, especially on protected sites. The NGO says that Natural England has only approved 6% of licences applied for on such sites in England. The blog highlights the predations of corvids and gulls, and follows the recent plea to the government to strip Natural England of its licensing powers.