Natural England’s decision not to complicate rules for farmers and growers who need to protect their crops from certain bird species is a sensible decision, the NFU has said.
The NFU particularly welcomes the removal of the ‘no satisfactory alternative’ legal test which would have placed an onus on general licence users to take appropriate steps to resolve pest problems before controlling certain bird species, commonly referred to as ‘shoo before you shoot’.
NFU countryside adviser Claire Robinson said: “Farmers up and down the country need to control certain bird species on their land as they can cause serious damage to growing crops, particularly oilseed rape, feeding on young plants before they are established. Shooting is just one of the tools used alongside others including scarecrows, imitation animals and even falconry.
“So we welcome Natural England’s sensible decision not to complicate the general licence requirements. The consultation proposed changes to licence conditions which would have been difficult to implement in law, making them unenforceable. They would have placed a greater burden on licence users without any clear benefits.”
Natural England’s decision retains the Jackdaw, Jay and Collared Dove on the general licence and adds the Egyptian Goose. This licence allows for their control to prevent damage to agricultural crops.
