§ Lord Mason of Barnsleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will consult with the Salmon and Trout Association, the Country Landowners Association and the British Field Sports Society on the problem of the damage being done to fish stocks by increasing flocks of cormorants moving inland, with a view to establishing the size of the problem and the financial losses being incurred by fishery owners; whether they will consult the National Rivers Authority to ascertain what complaints are being registered from within their regions of fish losses being incurred; and what action can be taken to halt these depredations.
The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Earl Howe)MAFF will consider any reports or representations that these or any other bodies may wish to provide Any such information will help to inform policy on the predation of fisheries by cormorants.
Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, MAFF is a licensing authority for the killing of cormorants where evidence of serious damage to a fishery has been provided. MAFF considers each application on its merits and is advised by ADAS, MAFF's wildlife advisers. Under the Act, MAFF is required to consult with English Nature.
In consultation with other government departments and interested bodies, MAFF is reviewing its research and development programme on piscivorous birds and the Salmon and Trout Association, the Country Landowners Association arid the British Field Sports Society are being invited to participate.
§ Lord Mason of Barnsleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What reports the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have received on depreciation of fisheries by cormorants, from which source, and the nature of the Ministry's replies.
Earl HoweMAFF has received a copy of a report commissioned by the National Rivers Authority (NRA) on general depredation of fisheries by avian piscivores. This report will be taken into account as part of MAFF's continual review of its policy on the licensed killing of these birds. The NRA is being invited to participate in MAFF's current review of its research and development requirements on piscivorous birds.
§ Lord Mason of Barnsleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many licences have been issued for the purpose of killing cormorants in each of the last five years, and with what results.
55WA
Earl HoweDetails of the number of licences issued in England by MAFF and of the cormorants shot under these licences are as follows:
Year Number of licences issued Number of cormorants shot 1989 2 11 1990 3 11 1991 3 18 1992 4 13 1993 24 n/a1 1 Licences extend into 1994. Information on the number of birds shot is not yet available.