"Sitting in offices up and down the country, they issue licences to kill wildlife at the whim of a government that, as we all know, is made up of some nauseating individuals who care little for people and even less for nature"
Since I started my campaign to challenge the government-sanctioned mass destruction of our wild birds, it has gained much publicity - which in itself is a success. Bringing this atrocity to wider attention has certainly been essential in raising public awareness and has also shown the government that it can no longer hide its dodgy attitude towards the environment. Many of us can see right through the hypocrisy and soundbites. And Natural England is complicit, acting on government orders by ticking boxes and issuing licences to cull wildlife in huge numbers. If anyone has any doubts as to this, just take a look at the ongoing slaughter of badgers and the devastation caused by HS2. 387,000 Signatures... so far But back to the birds, I've been humbled by the huge amount of truly incredible support from the public, with 387,000 amazing people signing the petition. From a standing start, we have together accomplished much. In the beginning, Natural England and the government ignored us, refused to answer my questions, declined to engage with me. There might have been times when I would have agreed with those cynics who questioned what I was doing. I would receive messages like "we've already tried, you're wasting your time", and "they are too powerful, they won't listen". But I received far more messages of encouragement. And Natural England's systematic enabling of mass bird culls was something I felt strongly about, and still do of course. I have never been one to sit back and keep silent when I see something very wrong happening in front of me. Many times a phrase resonated in my conscience, 'silence is consent'. I did not consent to the destruction of wildlife - and I would not be silent. Public Anger - and Politicians' Silence I took no heed of the naysayers, and bolstered by the many encouraging messages that outnumbered the critics, I started questioning those in high office. The silence was deafening... so I took the campaign to the press. I managed to get substantial coverage in many of the big nationals, which garnered a huge increase in support for the petition. With headlines in the Times, the Guardian, the Independent, the Mail and more, public anger grew - and suddenly Natural England wanted to talk with me. No doubt they saw it as an opportunity to 'explain' their work, limit damage to their reputation, hoping that the whole saga would draw to a close. That is how naïve they really are. Sitting in offices up and down the country, they issue licences to kill wildlife at the whim of a government that, as we all know, is made up of some nauseating individuals who care little for people and even less for nature - in spite of all the soundbites and virtue signals that spew out from the various departments trying desperately to control every part of our lives. But, no doubt to the consternation of Natural England and the government , this saga was far from over, the 'explanations' emanating from Natural England were usually incredibly patronising - and often made little sense. I submitted a few freedom of information requests that clearly revealed that the whole system was flawed. Success I put pressure on Natural England to publish the licence data freely for the public to see. This was the first win for our campaign, I eventually secured a promise from them that they would publish the data fully each year so that we could examine the figures and see what this dubious government-sponsored organisation was doing with its time and funding. Natural England's initial reluctance to let us see the statistics clearly showed that they had something they really didn't want to share. More Success Another win for our campaign has been a reduction in the number of licences issued, notably for gulls, some species of which were suffering severe decline through licensed culling. Though Natural England's approach to scaling back these licences was typically illogical and haphazard, there is hope that gull populations will recover as long as licence numbers are reduced further. And although Natural England has an unnecessarily complicated system of reporting figures, it would appear that other species too may have benefitted from our campaign, Starlings, Coots and Moorhens for example - but only after I pointed out to Natural England the ludicrous grounds on which they had decided to approve kill licences for these species. Natural England should have taken a lesson from all this bad publicity and concern, but the whole licensing system remains bogged down by inefficiency and dodgy decision making, and the number of birds affected by these lethal licences remains far too high. Empty Gesturing from Government The welfare of nature seems very low on the government's agenda, in spite of the gesturing and promises. And still each year I've had to fight to get the data released. I've had to trawl through the data and look for anomalies and then submit freedom of information requests to get answers. And it remains galling when I have to read self important press releases and media posts from Natural England about the 'wonderful' work they are doing to 'help' and 'manage' nature, when we all now know that they are at the same time issuing thousands of licences to facilitate the mass slaughter of birds and other wildlife across the country. Decisions Going Forward So, to my decision. I will continue to fight for the survival of our birds, wildlife and nature. Of course I will, always. But this campaign has at times been battering and tiring. I need your help even more going forward. Your support has been inspirational. Now I need people to take up the baton (there are lots of them available!) and start going through the data themselves. I need people to ask questions, bombard the government and Natural England with questions. Wear them down. Make them change. It can be done - and indeed I know so many people up and down the country are already fighting the good fight for nature. Education and Awareness For now it is still possible to submit freedom of information requests, though there are rumours that the system may change - but it's important to ask the right questions (I'll happily provide guidance on this, just ask). Write to the papers, tell your friends, increase awareness. Educate your children and instil in them a fascination with nature, don't rely on the schools to teach them about wonder and magic. I'll continue to ensure that Natural England release the data annually, and I'll continue to highlight anomalies as I see them. Question Everything and Fight for Good My one big message to all of you - and this applies to all of life with a capital 'L' - and in all matters and all situations - question everything. Don't believe what they tell you. Use your instinct and your intuition. If something feels wrong then it probably is. And fight for good. With good on your side you will always win. And that is why, in spite of being sometimes weary, I will ensure that the campaign will go on - just please walk with me, delighting in nature as we go, fighting for its survival, sharing knowledge with the next generation and most importantly of all - questioning everything that those in power tell you. Please keep sharing the petition: HERE
39 Comments
Jill pike
26/9/2021 05:03:01 pm
The main thing that needs to change is farming practices. Where I live is mostly dairy,& silage ,nothing but grass for silage.Spraying “weeds“ ,flailing hedges.How many more trees we could there be if they weren’t chopped off in their prime.
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Ronald Teague
27/9/2021 05:33:44 am
Please keep up the good work well done
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Caroline Dalton
27/9/2021 02:49:40 pm
You are an inspiration to us all, Jason, so keep working on protection of birds. Would it be possible to shame RSPB into doing something more positive? They seem keener on selling tea towels than on protecting birds.
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Debra Jones
27/9/2021 09:40:45 pm
Sadly I have had several injured birds and also a birds egg I found in a grass pile, an the lack of empathy and concern on behalf of the RSPB when I asked for advice and help was astounding.It most certainly did not lead me to support them, they seem more interested inpublishing,selling and opening reserves. I am sure it contributres postively but maybe not in perhaps ways it should. simularly the RSPCA on subsequent occasions where wild birds had been injured told me that they would just take them to the vets and have them pts. Thankfully I now know a rescue that rescues all wildlife and so long as they pull through either release or locate people who can take the animal on.I am not on here to slate organisations there is a lot of good they do but they do need to try to fight for every life especially our native species and those in decline.
John Wildey
26/9/2021 05:10:07 pm
Save our birdsong.0
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pat morris
27/9/2021 11:56:13 am
you're right about birdsong,we've seen a decline in the thrush a beautiful singing bird as well as the skylark.when i think back as a girl in the early 50's,what beautiful wildlife and countryside we had.
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26/9/2021 05:11:01 pm
I think you are right, Jason, in saying that the lockdowns have indeed served a useful purpose on top of protecting us from this awful virus. It seems that more of us are aware more than ever before of the importance of our wildlife and of doing our utmost to protect it. Our gardens, parks, countryside and beaches have probably done every bit as much in saving our collective sanity as all the enforced but necessary rules and regulations. Now retired, I spent most of my working life in education, and took every opportunity to teach our children the importance of humankind in caring for animals and the environment...I was out going door to door back in the 1960s doing my bit to 'Save the Whale' (and dolphins, seal pups, elephants etc. etc.) so it's good to hear about the success of your work - long may it continue!
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Lynne Russell
26/9/2021 05:21:55 pm
The Dasgupta Review raises the importance of restoring nature. It is just as important as tackling climate change. Humanity can not live without nature, and we've already lost 68% since 1970. Everyone needs to work together to reverse the decline in wildlife before it's too late. We are on a path to wiping ourselves out.
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Julia Dance
26/9/2021 05:24:42 pm
I am happy to go on examining data and questioning Natural England, especially if I can have a bit of guidance from those, like yourself, who know more about birds.
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Audrey Muir
1/10/2021 02:41:59 pm
Me too
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Teffy Wrightson
26/9/2021 05:34:35 pm
In the town where I live, a fight to prevent a road being built through green belt land has resulted in fields being bought by public subscription to make a wildlife area with woodland. While working to prevent this wicked and unreasonable culling of birds, perhaps we could all try to find ways like this of replacing lost habitat for them.
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Susan Carvell
26/9/2021 05:36:01 pm
Thank you Jason for everything you have done and achieved so far
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Peter Scott
26/9/2021 05:46:32 pm
Natural England is yet another Government Quango that is
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Richard brian Humphrey
26/9/2021 06:09:32 pm
We will have no birds or any other wildlife to speak of if they don't put a stop to the seemingly endless numbers of people coming to this already over crowded country, that does not have homes to house the population as it is and will mean the loss of yet more green belt to build more and more, we are also running short of water supplies.
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pat morris
27/9/2021 12:05:33 pm
how true,this country needs emptying,farms being bought by developers littering this country with houses,we need our green land back,this government wants to stop pandering to foreign countries we don't need their throw aways,joining the e.u was a bad mistake,we got the eastern bloc flooding in,dessimating our rivers of fish and swans.nothing was safe and the horrendous cruelty of halal meat,the government should never have allowed it,this is not the middle east.
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Jamie O’Brien
26/9/2021 06:13:01 pm
Hi Jason. Like you I get so angry with landowners who believe they know how to manage the countryside, yet the evidence shows quite the reverse. In the 1970s I was reading reports on the disappearing countryside and wildlife was on average down by 40%. Under there so called management and care, today the percentage is between 80 and 90% with common species like hedgehogs starlings, house sparrows, plus many others now on the endangered list. And yet this government still reply’s to me with lip service, never action
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John Sorrell
26/9/2021 06:24:55 pm
Natural England is a public body that should be safeguarding the wildlife. They should be only to keen to inform and communicate with interested parties and be open with all decisions that affect other viewpoints. It must be a requirement to publish their actions such as this.
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Joyce williams
26/9/2021 06:37:01 pm
Thank you for all your hard work Jason. What are the RSPB doing we are told that many birds are in decline yet they are being killed.
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IAN SHERFIELD SHERFIELD
26/9/2021 07:03:18 pm
Natural England are in the pocket of the gun lobby, who believe the slaughter of wildlife is a sport and a right, the general public need to be informed of their role and the governments complicit approval of their so called culling licenses.
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G Robinson
28/9/2021 08:23:01 pm
Sorry Ian but I’m afraid you could be suffering from the wandering of an erratic mind or the presumptions of an ignorant man.
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Keith Dancey
18/10/2021 03:56:25 pm
"you could be suffering from the wandering of an erratic mind or the presumptions of an ignorant man"
harry teyn
26/9/2021 07:26:02 pm
there is no need to cull any bird species, this is only to please some trigger happy pathetic individuals, and where is the Royal Society for the PROTECTION of Birds, i believe they are silent as long as the donations keep coming in,shame on you.
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G Robinson
28/9/2021 08:53:37 pm
Harry I wonder what qualifications you might have for making such scathing accusations, or might it just be a bigoted prejudicial uneducated outburst.
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Stephen Russell
26/9/2021 08:22:55 pm
I agree with culling certain species if it’s necessary to protect others
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Liz Callegari
28/9/2021 12:47:03 am
Only if the "culling" is of people since we are the ONLY animal causing an imbalance in nature. Farrmers and pheasant breeders destroy birds of prey, farmers get plagued by pigeons and other crop eating birds and look at lethal control methods. The whole country and everything in it is in jeopardy and our future is bleak if we continue to wantonly thoughtlessly and selfishly carry on destroying not only all wildlife but their habitats too so their chances of breeding future generations is vanishing along with a vast array of our native wildlife. My garden was once alive with birds and bees. Sitting outside on a summer's eve listening to the bird song was a way to wind down. Now all I hear are crows and magpies and as their numbers rise, since there's no longer any natural predation, the smallest birds suffer either by having their nests robbed/eggs eaten or from predation. It's time to bring back our indigenous birds of prey. Restore these and slowly a balance with nature might eventually be reached. A healthy eco system with top predators is sorely needed to do this!! Instead "natural" England is hell bent on destroying our birds issuing license to any waster that has an urge to shoot live animals. So I say again, only humans need to be managed as we seem incapable of regulating our population at a sustainable level. Every other creature both on land and in water is at risk as a result !!!
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G Robinson
28/9/2021 08:08:10 pm
Wow someone with a modicum of common sense.
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J.M. Grace
26/9/2021 08:48:00 pm
We are all wrongly led to believe in the Public government bodies..but they DO NOT WORK for others..just their own numbers of complicity! Disgraceful this Government and its co workers..we will all die if wildlife dies!! Look after it otherwise life will go for ALL, nature is King not the stupid people in power over us all!!
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R Third
26/9/2021 09:53:22 pm
Thank you for your compassion, your hard work and perseverance.
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Andrew Haveron
26/9/2021 10:03:22 pm
I had no idea, until you brought it to my attention, that any of this was going on; especially by a body called Natural England - it’s appalling because birds such as starlings and sparrows are I decline. Does Chris Packha know about this slaughter?
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Geoff Halpin
26/9/2021 10:11:27 pm
REMEMBER ONLY 100,000 OF MY FAVOURITE BRITISH BIRD IN THE UK AND IT IS ON DEFRA'S LIST ? THE BULLFINCH SO PLEASE JOIN ME AND EXPOSE DEFRA FOR WHAT THEY ARE ! I INVITE THEM TO ANSWER MY QUESTION WHY THE BULLFINCH ?
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27/9/2021 03:11:32 am
I had no idea it was this bad keep up the great work.
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Christine Wardlow-Kaye
27/9/2021 08:13:21 am
Hi Jason. Firstly, thank you on behalf of our beautiful wild birds and wildlife in general for standing up for our precious natural world for without doubt your energy and dedication and support for our wild birds etc would be greatly missed if it were not around.
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Linda Burns
27/9/2021 08:54:47 am
I fully support the work you are doing to protect the Wildlife in this Country. More people should be encouraged to question those in power over any decisions that are made. I am currently supporting a campaign in my area to save Green Belt land from being built on - we have Badgers and many other Wildlife there and our local Council wants to build 300 houses on this land and other land surrounding our town. We don’t have the infrastructure to support extra people and cars in this area. Keep up the good work. I will happily help if you give some guidance. We should be protecting our countryside and our wildlife for our children and grandchildren and the continuity of mankind.
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Nadine Watson
27/9/2021 09:37:58 am
It saddens me that over the years the rolling hills and mature woodlands have been systematically destroyed for housing estates and this continues. There is increasingly less space for nature and even the countryside has become a hostile environment with intense farming methods. We must all fight together to give nature a voice and stop the persecution of declining species.
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Tammy
27/9/2021 10:10:09 am
I've recently watched tractors and large hedge-flailing machines hack their way noisily round the edge of a copse, twice, destroying hedging and small trees during the nesting season. The copse also has a nest of Schedule 1 birds in it, Red Kites. I've contacted the RSPB twice, but heard nothing from them so far. There seems to be little respect or real protection for other species in the UK, as shown by HS2, Natural England, DEFRA, poor farming practices and the 'sport' of hunting. Thank goodness for Jason and our collective voices, and long may we continue.
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Alan Clark
27/9/2021 12:34:28 pm
I would like to see more specific feedback on the biggest issues Natural England's licensing process is creating rather than general feedback on your battles with them.
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Glenn Fletcher
27/9/2021 02:30:18 pm
Jason - thanks for all you have done. Active citizens are essential to avoid government by lobbyists and party funders.
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Gareth Huw Lewis
1/10/2021 05:08:49 pm
Thank you once again Jason for all your hard work and for questioning the inaction of Natural England and DEFRA
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Caroline James
9/10/2021 05:08:35 pm
Thank you so much for being the champion for these birds. I have followed you since the start. I really hope that people do continue in your footsteps. I follow many wildlife and environmental petitions & causes so it would be hard for me to take on a major role in all of them as I am already heavily involved in a local environmental charity which takes up much of my spare time, so I totally get that this issue takes up so much of your time. I suppose if we all take on 1 issue, it spreads the burden and makes each of us a small part of the larger picture. Thank you for taking this one on, and good luck in the future.
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