§ Lord Mason of Barnsleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What studies they have undertaken to assess the movements of fish-eating birds such as cormorants and goosanders on inland waters and the damage those birds are causing to coarse and game fish stocks; and whether they are considering a general cull of these birds.
The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Earl Howe)MAFF is aware that there has been only limited research undertaken on the behaviour of piscivorous birds: the Ministry, in consultation with other government departments, conservation bodies and fisheries interests, such as the Country Landowners Association, the British Field Sports Society, the Salmon and Trout Association and the Atlantic Salmon Trust, is currently reviewing its research and development programme on piscivorous birds.
Cormorants and goosanders are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended, although the Act does allow for the issuing of licences to permit the killing or taking of birds in order to prevent serious damage to fisheries. MAFF, as a licensing authority, does issue licences to shoot a limited number of birds as an aid to scaring. It would be for the Department of the Environment to consider whether the protection given by the Act should be removed to allow a general cull. No such action is contemplated at present.