Access to wild bird control licences

Following the revocation of bird control licences this week, NFU has become aware that some members are experiencing issues when trying to access the application forms for individual licences from Natural England’s website.

Click here to view and download the forms from the NFU website.

While the battle for general licenses continues with Natural England, wildlife presenter Chris Packham, who successfully campaigned against the licences, has found a number of dead crows hung around his home over the past 24 hours. Packham has said, “The ethics of their bird killing licences have been questioned on several accounts and levels recently and this result will ensure that current practices are reconsidered and amended for the benefit of wildlife and its proper and legal management by people.”

BASC chief executive Ian Bell has provided an update of BASC’s work to deal with Natural England’s decision to revoke three general licences.
“We continue to lobby MPs and those MPs continue to press Michael Gove. I am in daily communication with the chief executive of Natural England in order to find some route through this chaos.”

Mr Bell added: “On Tuesday I highlighted the concern of BASC and other shooting organisations at the chaos caused by the withdrawal of the 2019 general licences…that are absolutely essential for the protection of crops, newborn lambs and the breeding of red-listed species.”