§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether farmers or users will be required to demonstrate that appropriate non-lethal methods of control are ineffective or impractical following the changes to the general licences issued under Section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. [HL1628]
§ Lord WhittyFarmers and users of general licences are not required to demonstrate that appropriate non-lethal methods of control are ineffective or impractical.
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.