HC Deb 05 November 1992 vol 213 cc366-7W
Mr. Riddick

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether the proposed general licences to kill or take certain birds will fully discharge United Kingdom obligations so far as they relate to his Department's responsibilities under the 1979 EC birds directive;

(2) if he has consulted the Joint Nature Conservation Committee on the proposed general licensing system to control the shooting of bird pest species under section 16(1) (c), (d) and (i) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; and whether the committee has approved the form and scope of the proposed licences;

(3) whether the constituent bodies of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee had submitted their opinions on the proposed general licensing system to control the shooting of bird pest species by the final date of submission; and what steps have been taken to obtain them;

(4) if he has consulted the Joint Nature Conservation Committee on the proposed general licensing system to control the shooting of bird pest species under section 16 (i), (j) and (k) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; and whether the committee has approved the form and scope of the proposed licences.

Mr. Maclean

We are satisfied that the proposed general licensing system for pest bird control will meet the requirement of the EC birds directive and provide a sensible basis for pest control in the United Kingdom.

Officials of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee have been fully involved with those from my Department in the development of the licensing system and have provided the scientific advice on which the licences will be based. In discharging the special function of the country councils to jointly advise on nature conservation matters affecting Great Britain as a whole, committee officials have liaised with their counterparts in the country councils. The councils received the public consultation paper, issued in July, setting out the Government's proposals. The Countryside Council for Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage have responded directly to the Department.