HC Deb 25 April 1985 vol 77 cc534-5W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the number of licences he issued (a) in 1984 and (b) so far in 1985 to kill birds under section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and, in each case giving the species of bird involved, the number allowed to be killed, the location and the reason.

Mrs. Fenner

Details of licences issued by my Department in 1984 and 1985, for the killing of wild birds under section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, are set out in the following tables.

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Licensing by MAFF in England 1 January to 20 April 1985
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Region
Species Prohibited method HQ E M and W SE SW N Totals
Number licences Number birds allowed to be taken Number licences Number birds allowed to be taken Number licences Number birds allowed to be taken Number licences Number birds allowed to be taken Number licences Number birds allowed to be taken Number licences Number birds allowed to be taken Number licences Number of birds allowed to be taken
Feral pigeons and house sparrows Stupefying bait 11 90 6 79 ‡186
Herring gulls 1 ‡1
House sparrows Mist nets 1 1 ‡2
Bullfinch Cage trap *1 •‖1
Brent geese na 23 270 5 70 ‖28 340
Greylag/ na 40
4 ‖7 270
Canada geese na 1 50 2 150 1 30
Widgeon na 1
Mallard na 1 100 100
Coot na
Moorhen na 1 20 1 20
Totals 2 40 380 94 250 12 70 81 30 228 730
• General licence.
† There are no limits specified in licences to use stupefying baits, mist nets and the general licence for bullfinches.
‡ For the purpose of preserving public health.
‖ For the purpose of preventing serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber or fisheries.