MPs to quiz Defra and Natural England over bird shooting fiasco

Defra and Natural England heads will be asked to explain to MPs their reasons behind the withdrawal of general licences for controlling wild birds.

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) committee will hold a one-off evidence session on 21 May at Westminster.

MPs have asked Defra ministers and the interim chief executive of Natural England, Marian Spain, to appear before the committee to give evidence.

See also: Licence for shooting pest bird species – where do farmers stand?

MPs said questions will focus on the series of events that led to this decision being taken, the handling of the media fallout, the issuing and effectiveness of new general licences and the subsequent action taken by Defra secretary Michael Gove.

No consultation

On 23 April, without prior consultation, Natural England decided to revoke three “pest control” general licences, which allowed farmers to shoot pests such as pigeons and crows.

Natural England withdrew the licences following a legal challenge from conservation group Wild Justice, founded by former RSPB boss Mark Avery, wildlife writer Ruth Tingay and BBC presenter Chris Packham.

The decision has proved deeply unpopular with farmers, gamekeepers and pest controllers, who say it shows the government has little understanding of the effect these pest birds have on crops and livestock.

NFU deputy president Guy Smith said without a combination of bird scarers and shooting, crops such as oilseed rape and peas would be impossible to grow. Similarly, livestock – especially sheep and lambs – are extremely vulnerable to attacks from corvids.

Defra has since rushed out a new system of individual licences for the control of pest species, including those to control carrion crows, woodpigeons and Canada geese (GL26, GL31 and GL28).

Call for evidence

The department has also issued a call for evidence on the effects of the changes. Farmers have until 13 May to make their views heard (see “Ways to respond to the Defra consultation”, below).

Conservative MP and Efra committee chairman Neil Parish said: “It is clear from the subsequent backlash that many members of the farming community are deeply concerned by the move and worried about the impact it may have on their livelihoods.

“We feel it is our committee’s duty to question why such a step was taken and whether there are any alternative methods available.

“We invited the ministers and Natural England to give us a much clearer picture of how they reached this decision and how they plan to move forward, given the fallout that has followed their announcement.”