Natural England has just announced that it will be revoking three general licenses for controlling some species of wild birds from April 25th, with 16 species covered including some gulls, pigeons, Canada geese and some members of the crow family.
Over the coming weeks, alternative measures will be brought in that will permit lawful control of these species where necessary. Once the licences have been revoked and until new ones are issued, anyone who needs to control one of the 16 species in question (where no reasonable non-lethal alternative is available) will have to apply for an individual licence.
The move comes after a legal challenge was put forward against the way that licences have been issued, which means that some people who rely on them may not be acting within the law.
If you do use a general licence, bear in mind that in the future many situations that are covered by the three general licences at the moment will be covered by new ones.
The organisation is now carrying out new assessments to help support lethal control of some birds in certain situations, such as preserving public health and safety from the impact of feral pigeons and the prevention of serious damage to livestock from carrion crow.
If you continue to exercise lethal control of birds after April 25th this year without applying for an individual licence, you could be committing an offence.
Marian Spain, interim chief executive with Natural England, explained that the changes will cause some disruption but the organisation is trying its best to ensure this is kept to a minimum.
“We will bring forward interim measures as quickly as possible as the first stage of our planned review of the licences. We want to make sure our licensing system is robust and proportionate, taking into account the needs of wildlife and people,” she went on to say.
General licences were brought in back in the 1990s to legally control bird species of low conservation concern in a bid to protect plants and wildlife, prevent damage and disease, and to protect public health and safety. The three licences subject to this legal challenge are the GL04, GL05 and GL06.
In response to the announcement, chief executive of the BASC Ian Bell described the announcement as appalling and said he is now questioning the value of the relationship between the two organisations.
“I have asked what assurances Natural England can give to those who have not been properly informed of the changes. We simply must know whether they will have protection from prosecution. It is quite frankly ludicrous to say people can apply for a licence on the day the law changes.
“I have been able to ascertain that there had been no consultation with law enforcement agencies and BASC is following up with the police to get relevant advice for its members. I have made it clear to Natural England that it has failed in the role of a government organisation to protect otherwise law-abiding people.”
In order to apply for a wildlife licence, you usually have to be at least 18 but if you’re 16 and you have any relevant qualifications or awards, you may also be able to apply.
You will need to obtain a licence if you intend to disturb or remove animals or birds or to damage habitats.
A licence is required if your work involves the prevention of damage to agriculture, fisheries, livestock, property or archaeology, to protect public health and safety, to maintain or develop land, to prevent disease among species, to keep or release non-native species, to survey for the presence of wildlife or to sell, own, exhibit or transport protected species.
Meanwhile, the BASC’s executive director of shooting and operations Steve Bloomfield spoke to the BBC’s Look North programme about the decision, saying that it has caused widespread confusion and that the reaction to the news – which came with neither consultation or any warning whatsoever – was one of shock and outrage.
Mr Bloomfield went on to say that the decision would have an impact on people’s livelihoods and that certain pests – such as carrion crows, which have been known to peck out the eyes of live lambs – can cause serious damage.
Of course, the BASC isn’t the only organisation to have issued a call to arms over the announcement and a coalition of rural organisations has now come together to put pressure on Natural England to introduce the next set of licences as quickly as possible – ones that are simple to both understand and use.
The group consists of the BASC, the Countryside Alliance, the Country Land and Business Association, the National Farmers Union, the National Gamekeepers Organisation, the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Moorland Association.
The point has been made that it is unacceptable that Natural England only gave 36 hours’ notice that the licences were due to be withdrawn, particularly at this time of year, which is vital for wildlife management.
The organisation was aware of its plans in February but no one was notified until April 23rd, just two days before the date of licence withdrawal. The coalition of rural organisations further added that it would now be working with the body to deliver an “effective and legal set of new licences that are fit for purpose as quickly as possible”.
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