§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applications to kill herons were made in each year since 1983 and to date n 1985; how many were issued; how many herons were permitted to be killed; how many were actually killed; from whom the licences were received; for what reasons they were applied for and granted; what was the location of each killing ground; what deterrent measures had first been tried; and whether the advice of the Nature Conservancy Council was obtained.
§ Mrs. FennerDetails of applications for and licences issued by my Department in 1983, 1984 and 1985 to kill or take herons are set out in the table.
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Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Licences issued by MAFF in England to kill or take herons 1983 1984 1985 Number of applications 6 4 2 Number of licences issued 2 1 — Number of herons permitted to be killed 10 6 — Number of herons actually killed 2 4 — (a) Applications were received from fish farms, put-and-take fisheries, and an aquatic nurseryman.
(b) The reasons for applications and licences were to prevent serious damage to fisheries.
(c) The locations of licences were
1983: (i) Padworth, Berkshire
(ii) Littleton, Somerton, Somerset
1984: Padworth, Berkshire
(d) (Deterrent measures included shooting to scare, erection of barriers, screens, cages and nets.
(e) NCC was consulted in all cases where licences were issued.