HL Deb 14 March 2005 vol 670 cc122-4WA
Baroness Byford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

On what date the current general shooting licence WLF 18 came into force. [HL1685]

Lord Whitty

The current general licence WLF 18 came into force on 1 March 2005.

However, on 9 March 2005 in order to clear up misunderstanding in relation to the obligation regarding appropriate non-lethal methods Defra amended the wording of the general licence condition to read,

"This licence can only be relied on in circumstances where the authorised person is satisfied that appropriate non-lethal methods of control such as scaring are either ineffective or impracticable".

A press notice was issued and the revised licences were published on the Defra website. A copy of the press notice can be accessed via the following link. www.defra.gov.uk/news/2005/050309c.htm.

The revised general licence can be accessed via the following link: www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/regulat/forms/cons_man/w1f18.pdf.

Baroness Byford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

On what date the current version of general shooting licence WLF 18 was issued. [HL1686]

Lord Whitty

The current version of general licence WLF 18 was issued on 9 March 2005 when Defra amended the wording in relation to the obligation regarding appropriate non-lethal methods.

The revised general licence can be accessed via the following link: www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/regulat/forms/cons_man/w1f18.pdf.

Baroness Byford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

On what date and time the current version of general shooting licence WLF 18 first appeared on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' website. [HL1687]

Lord Whitty

The current version of general licence WLF 18 first appeared on the Defra website on 9 March 2005 when Defra amended the wording in relation to the obligation regarding appropriate non-lethal methods.

The revised general licence can be accessed via the following link: www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/regulat/forms/cons_man/w1f18.pdf.

Baroness Byford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they have taken to publicise the changes to general shooting licence WLF. [HL1688]

Lord Whitty

Between 31 March and 14 July 2004 a pre-consultation exercise was undertaken by Defra on the review of general licences to kill or take so-called "pest species" of birds. This pre-consultation, on a number of proposed changes to general licences, included reference to other satisfactory solutions, involved key interests and was also published on the Defra website. The pre-consultation document can be accessed via the following link: www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/bird-licence/index.htm.

The responses to the pre-consultation were carefully considered and further discussions took place between Defra officials and organisations representing shooting and conservation interests.

On 10 February 2005 Defra announced the removal of the house sparrow and starling from general licences. This was supplemented at the time by a press release and a table of proposed changes to be made to general licences. This included reference to a condition regarding the use of non-lethal alternatives.

The press release and table can be accessed via the following link: www.defra.gov.uk/news/2005/050210a.htm.

On 9 March 2005 in order to clear up misunderstanding in relation to the obligation to consider appropriate non-lethal methods Defra altered the wording of the general licence condition to read,

"This licence can only be relied on in circumstances where the authorised person is satisfied that appropriate non-lethal methods of control such as scaring are either ineffective or impracticable".

A press notice was issued and the revised licences were published on the Defra website. A copy of the press notice can be accessed via the following link: www.defra.gov.uk/news/2005/050309c. htm.

Baroness Byford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the old general shooting licence WLF 18 complied with the requirements of the birds directive; and whether the new general shooting licence WLF 18 complies with the directive. [HL1689]

Lord Whitty

The old general licence WLF 18 complied with the EC birds directive as does the new version.