§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what facilities are available for controlling woodpigeons. [111085]
§ Mr. MorleyThe control of certain birds, including woodpigeons, is permitted under a series of general licences issued by my Department. This system, first introduced in 1992. offers a practical and easily understood method of control of certain bird species and ensures that birds are killed or taken by certain methods only, with the minimum of distress to the birds.
Control of birds under the general licences has generally worked well, however a recent High Court judgment has illustrated that there may be areas where review of the general licences would be useful. Officials will consult stakeholders shortly and revise the licences where changes are considered necessary.
719WCopies of the general licences can be found on the Defra website.