Just had this come through as part of an email.

Quite worrying for us rough shooters, just hope they don’t succeed

Norm


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Hi!

On Friday afternoon Wild Justice (the not-for-profit company set up by Chris Packham, Ruth Tingay and myself) launched its first case - a legal challenge of the General Licences.

All birds are protected by law to some extent, but all species can be killed for a prescribed list of reasons (such as protecting human health, protecting crops or livestock from serious damage). Although Robins, Curlews and Skylarks are all protected, you can get a licence to kill them if you can satisfy the authorities that you have a good reason and that you have tried legal and non-lethal means. You would have to get a licence, though - an actual bit of paper you can hold in your hand.

But for a fairly small list of species including Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Jay and Collared Dove you don't need the bit of paper, and you don't have to apply for a licence - but, if asked, you would still have to be able to justify any cull on the same narrow grounds.

Wild Justice, based on legal advice, contend this system is unlawful because it allows casual killing of birds (millions of them every year) without any overview. Wild Justice is making a legal challenge of Natural England's issuing of the 2019 General Licences on 1 January this year and is raising money to fund the legal case.

The crowdfunder is proving very popular - 775 people have donated a total of over £19,000 since Friday - but the total needed is £36,000 so any contributions would be most gratefully received.

Click here to visit the 'Challenging the casual killing of birds' crowdfunder'.


Mark Avery
Standing up for Nature
9 Lawson St, Wellingborough, Northants NN9 6NG, UK “