§ 24. Mr. HicksTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are being taken to promote the new moorland scheme.
§ Mr. JackThe new moorland scheme has not yet been approved by the European Commission. As such, the details of the scheme cannot yet be finalised. When
Number of licences currently in force by MAFF region Species Type of premises Northern North East North Mercia South Mercia East Midlands Anglia South East South West Wessex Bullfinch1 Farm — — — 1 — — 1 — — Brent goose Farm — — — — 14 5 30 — — Cormorant Fishery 7 — 4 2 — 1 3 — — Heron Fishery — — — — — — 5 — — Goosander Fishery — — — 1 — — — — — Blackbird Farm — — — — — — — — 1 Canada goose23 Farm — 3 7 4 6 4 8 — 1 Greylag goose3 Farm — 2 — — — — 1 — — Coot3 Farm — — — — 1 — — — — Wigeon3 Farm — — — — 1 — — — — Feral pigeon4 Factory — — — — — — — 1 — House sparrow4 Factory — 1 — — — — — 1 — 1 Excludes the general licence issued to kill bullfinches in selected counties as the returns of action taken are not yet available. 2 Includes the pricking of eggs. 3 These birds all have an open season when they may be killed without a licence. The licences shown are to kill during die closed season. 4 A general licence has been issued to kill these birds throughout the year. The licences shown are to use methods otherwise prohibited under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.