Natural Resources Wales proposals place most vulnerable species at risk, says BASC
Subject to NRW board approval, the proposals would remove magpies, jays and jackdaws from the Welsh general licence for conservation.
Organisations call on Michael Gove to make key changes to general licence system
BASC is one of nine leading organisations that have written a joint letter asking environment secretary Michael Gove to instigate a number of key changes to the general licensing system.
BASC chairman Peter Glenser QC is among signatories from the countryside, farming and shooting communities that have asked Michael Gove to consider a number of recommendations for resolving the current general licence chaos.
The letter highlights that all the organisations have submitted evidence to Defra’s current review and says the replacement licences recently issued by Natural England are not fit for purpose.
Mr Glenser said: “We have thanked the Secretary of State for taking control of the general licence chaos while also explaining that Natural England’s reaction to the initial legal challenge by Wild Justice was disproportionate, inappropriate and damaging to the environment and countryside.
“We also say that every day lost to the ongoing crisis sees more gamebirds, wildlife, crops and livestock damaged by these very common problematic birds.
“We trust and hope that the (Defra) review will reverse the gold plating and mission creep that has led to the current chaos and produce simple, workable licences covering all species and purposes previously included.”
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New woodpigeon licence ‘not fit for purpose’, says BASC
BASC will be pressing for significant changes to be made to new licence
BASC given permission to bring judicial review of Defra decision
BASC has been granted permission by the High Court to bring a judicial review of Defra’s decision to withdraw GL43, the general licence that allowed gamebird release in certain areas of England.
