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Thread: Packham gets General License revoked!!!!

  1. #1
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    Packham gets General License revoked!!!!

    I thought this was an April Fools when I just saw it on a shooting site.

    The Government has bowed to Chris Packham and is banning most pigeon, crow, gull and Canada goose shooting.
    Natural England – the Government agency responsible – is “revoking three general licences for controlling certain wild birds as of Thursday 25 April 2019,” says the Government in a statement. It adds: “These licences (GL 04/05/06) cover 16 species of birds including several members of the crow family, Canada goose, some gulls and pigeons.”


    Chris Packham crowdfunded and launched a legal challenge called Wild Justice to the way the licences are issued, arguing that shooters are not acting lawfully. Government lawyers appear to have folded and let Packham have his way.


    Taken by surprise by the decision, Natural England says it is “working at pace to put in place over the next few weeks alternative measures to allow lawful control of these bird species to continue where necessary”.


    In the meantime, and until new licences are issued, anyone needing to control one of 16 bird species where there is no reasonable non-lethal alternative will need to apply for an individual licence in the same way they apply for licences to control birds such as cormorants and ravens. These licences take weeks to obtain and are seldom given out.


    Natural England’s interim chief executive Marian Spain says: “We recognise this change will cause disruption for some people, but we are working hard to ensure it 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.”

    Time for all of us to apply for a license and let them see how workable their new procedure is?

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  3. #3
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    So, in ten years time, the only birds we will see are the natural predatory species that revocation of the GL allowed to flourish uncontrolled.

    Hope you like your corvids.

    What a set of arses.
    The Mayor: Intent? How did you establish that?
    Harry Callahan: When a man is chasing a woman through an alley with a butcher’s knife and a hard-on, I figure he isn’t out collecting for the Red Cross.

  4. #4
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  5. #5
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    He's shot himself in the foot, so to speak, campaigning against netting, which is the most common non-lethal means of control.

    I suspect a standard line for the argument that non-lethal means would not be effective is that non-lethal means are prohibitively expensive, and would simply push the problem unfairly on to neighbouring properties.

  6. #6
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    Not applicable to Wales at this time as we're covered by the Natural Resource Body for Wales and their General Licences 001 & 002 are already in place for 2019 not sure about Scotland and Ireland though.

  7. #7
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    'Details are sketchy. They do not appear to include licences to protect crops. However, they probably do cover Larsen traps.'

    My bold.

    It looks like 'protection of crops' remains OK under the new system, although confirmation is obviously required.
    If you don't know enough to judge - don't judge

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Thegogg View Post
    Not applicable to Wales at this time as we're covered by the Natural Resource Body for Wales and their General Licences 001 & 002 are already in place for 2019 not sure about Scotland and Ireland though.
    Scotland's ones here but I dare say they can be revoked at any time .

    https://www.nature.scot/professional...licences-birds
    Last edited by bighit; 23-04-2019 at 05:58 PM.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Terry D View Post
    'Details are sketchy. They do not appear to include licences to protect crops. However, they probably do cover Larsen traps.'

    My bold.

    It looks like 'protection of crops' remains OK under the new system, although confirmation is obviously required.
    Licence for crops is part of licence 04
    So from Thursday you literally can't shoot
    Magpies crows etc

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by bighit View Post
    Scotland's ones here but I dare say they can be revoked at any time .

    https://www.nature.scot/professional...licences-birds
    Indeed they can. And you can bet that "Wild Justice" will see this as a rubber stamp to go after the GLs of the other nations.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rocket launcher View Post
    Licence for crops is part of licence 04
    So from Thursday you literally can't shoot
    Magpies crows etc

    An they have put Pigeon on it to! I can't see Where it states it effects CP or where it doesn't? .. Never clear new laws
    Last edited by SilentSniper; 23-04-2019 at 06:32 PM.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Terry D View Post
    'Details are sketchy. They do not appear to include licences to protect crops. However, they probably do cover Larsen traps.'

    My bold.

    It looks like 'protection of crops' remains OK under the new system, although confirmation is obviously required.
    Quote Originally Posted by Rocket launcher View Post
    Licence for crops is part of licence 04
    So from Thursday you literally can't shoot
    Magpies crows etc
    I think the protection of crops bit MAY come under schedule 4 of the wildlife and countryside act, although as RL states GL04 is also the licence which covers it so a bit of a contradiction and which one takes precedent ? Confirmation definitely required
    Do nothing, achieve nothing

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by SilentSniper View Post
    An they have put Pigeon on it to! I can't see Where it states it effects CP or where it doesn't? .. Never clear new laws
    First paragraph on this download general licence 04 purpose for which this licence issued
    ....Damage to crops

    https://www.gov.uk/government/public...age-or-disease

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by distantcamera View Post
    Indeed they can. And you can bet that "Wild Justice" will see this as a rubber stamp to go after the GLs of the other nations.
    They sure will .

    Sacs have responded with this (in bold)


    IMPORTANT: GENERAL LICENCES IN ENGLAND REVOKED
    IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL SHOOTERS AND TRAPPERS WHO USE THE GENERAL LICENCES TO CONTROL PEST SPECIES OF BIRDS IN ENGLAND ONLY.

    IMPORTANT: GENERAL LICENCES IN ENGLAND REVOKED
    PLEASE READ AND SHARE THIS INFORMATION AND THE BELOW WEBSITE LINK WITH THOSE YOU KNOW.

    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/g...g-requirements

    From 25th April (Thursday this week!) Natural England (NE) is (apparently temporarily) revoking three general licences for controlling pest species of wild birds. See news link above. This follows a legal challenge against the way the licences were issued and NE folding to anti-shooting pressure via a legal challenge. NE made the announcement just earlier today – less than 48 hours notice.

    The General Licences affected are:
    General licence GL04: To kill or take certain species of wild birds to prevent serious damage or disease
    General licence GL05: To kill or take certain species of wild birds to preserve public health or public safety
    General licence GL06: To kill or take certain species of wild birds to conserve wild birds or flora or fauna

    These licences (GL 04/05/06) cover 16 species of birds including several members of the crow family, Canada goose and some gulls and pigeons. These are the principle licences used by SACS members and others to control pest wild bird species.

    Natural England has given no indication when this temporary issue will be resolved, but has emphasised that it will be looking to issue new GLs as soon as possible. In the meantime, NE is offering a simplified way to apply for Individual Licences for those who need to control wild birds. This will apparently go live on its website from the 25th April, the date of revocation.

    After 25th April anyone continuing to make use of GLs 04, 05 and 06 and who has not successfully applied for an Individual Licence from NE may be acting unlawfully. Please check the NE General Licences webpage on 25th April and follow directions to apply for Individual Licences as required e.g. to control pigeons or corvids causing serious damage and where non-lethal methods are considered to be ineffective.

    Alex Stoddart of SACS: “We are disgusted by Natural England's lack of spine on the matter of control of wild birds to prevent disease and prevent damage to crops and conservation efforts. It is clear that they have folded under pressure from celebrity-backed anti-shooting element. We are further frustrated by Natural England's total lack of engagement.

    As a consequence, a large number of our members may unknowingly be committing an offence and both agriculture and conservation activities could be harmed. We await an update from NE, which we will pass on to members ASAP. Meantime, please monitor the NE General Licences webpage for more information from 25th April. Remember, this is an England only issue. We will keep members updated"

  15. #15
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    A change to the General License has been needed for some time in my opinion. People have used it as an excuse to shoot wildlife when there is no real problem at a location. Hopefully the new license will be more area / problem specific; a corvid in your garden isn't a problem, but there are those who will shoot it under the General license, believing they can as it appears on the list. The revocation of the license doesn't mean that this method of control has ceased, a provision has been made for those with a need to control a pest species, can still apply for an interim "individual license" to do so from 25th April at gov.uk.
    The important thing is to make everyone aware that this license is being revoked. Perhaps admin will make this thread a sticky and email or PM its members of this important change so all its members are informed of it.

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