Plan to end uncontrollable Cormorant culls "has our attention", promises Natural England This week I had an email from Natural England's Head of Wildlife Licensing - with some really promising news. You'll recall that last month I pooled all of our ideas aimed at ending the uncontrolled Cormorant culls, and I put forward a 5 point plan to Natural England suggesting reforms to the current broken system. I'll quote from the message. "Hi Jason, Just a quick update for you. We’ve started some internal discussion on this and we are considering how we might evaluate changes to cormorant licensing. I’ve had some early views which we will try and develop. Reform/change might take some time to do alongside our other licensing priorities.... But I want to reassure you this has our attention." Now, I know we all want change to happen quickly, I'm a 'get it done now' kind of chap, and it's frustrating to hear the words 'this might take some time', but nevertheless I am encouraged that Natural England is now actively seeking to change the current system. Believe me, it's real progress. Significant change doesn't happen overnight, not in today's world of politics combined with environmental detachment. Governments - and much of the public - have lost a vital connection to the natural world. Often it seems morality and ethics are perceived as inconvenient. And so, because of this, it's difficult to quickly alter perceptions and attitudes that don't have respect for nature at their core. The bigger picture Growing up, I was instilled with a love for the natural world, and nature was everywhere, from a biodiverse countryside to suburban gardens full of life. I know that those of a certain vintage like myself will remember those days. I was privileged to have a wonderful primary school teacher, Mrs Slater, who taught me very early on in my life to discover magic in nature and to find an infinitely bigger view of the world around me. It's been the most valuable and wonderful advice. Now I'm in my 50's, and I see our countryside ravaged by industrial farming and clumsy development, and suburbia turned into a plastic nightmare. But rather than giving up any last shred of hope (which would be so very easy to do), I try to see the bigger picture. Although it is desperately frustrating, indeed heartbreaking, to see ongoing destruction of nature, including birds being lethally controlled as in the case of Cormorants, I cling on to the hope that our efforts today will secure the survival of wildlife in the years ahead. It's that thing about 'people who plant trees under whose shade they will never sit'. It's still the right thing to do, and the policy changes we are influencing now will benefit birds and other wildlife for future generations. Empathy with nature Empathy is what is required, and especially an empathy with nature. I think that's where we come in. You and I instinctively know that killing cormorants to protect fisheries is wrong. That shooting gulls because they 'steal chips' is wrong. That culling badgers is wrong. You and I know that chopping down trees to build roads is wrong. And that replacing grass with plastic is wrong (and absurd). It's so obvious to us, but not, it seems, to the majority. Education There's no cure for the selfish behaviour which is at the core of much environmental destruction, but respect for nature can be taught - as it was when I was growing up. Education is key, and the best educators have empathy and understanding. It's an uphill struggle trying to defend and protect the wildlife and environment that I knew in my youth; it is, to quote the playwright Tony Kushner, "a kind of painful progress. Longing for what we've left behind, and dreaming ahead". But do let's dream ahead. Today's hope will make tomorrow a better day. And we are making progress. Yesterday's email from Natural England is good. In fact it's really good. It's a bit of light. And it's so far removed from the long silences and dismissive responses I used to get from them when I started the campaign. It's working Please be assured that our campaign is working. Together we have stopped local Starling culls, we have largely ended the supply of Black-headed Gull eggs to restaurants (at least for this year), and we have saved many urban gulls from being lethally 'controlled'. Now I am hopeful we will see an end to Cormorant culling too. But that's just the start, because I believe that we have also fundamentally changed the way Natural England approaches each and every licence application. This means that our wild birds are safer now than they were before. We have gained the respect of Natural England, who now listen to our suggestions and actively engage with us. Perhaps most of all, we have increased public awareness of the plight of our wild birds. Because ultimately the future of our natural environment will depend not on governments but on wider public perception and enlightenment. Education and empathy. All of that is why our campaign continues. On behalf of the birds, thank you. Best, Jase
27 Comments
Gail Bennett
1/7/2022 07:19:05 pm
Inspirational message Jason and a true light at the end of the tunnel.
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valerie holloway
5/7/2022 02:56:58 pm
It is most certainly great news and a step in the right direction. Thank you so much for all your brilliant efforts, Jason, and very well done. At least Natural England appear to be waking up to the concerns of the public.
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Tim Lee
1/7/2022 07:23:42 pm
Great news Jason and testament to your tenacity, hard work and belief that we can all make a difference.
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Carole Sheard
1/7/2022 09:22:42 pm
I have read several of the comments supporting your dedication to this cause. I couldn’t begin to match the good words that have been written so I won’t even try. ‘Bravo’ as Michael McIntyre would say. I wish you and likeminded followers every success in your endeavours.
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Michael Dickins
1/7/2022 07:30:47 pm
It is encouraging that Natural England is acknowledging
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IAN SHERFIELD SHERFIELD
1/7/2022 07:37:30 pm
With his proclaimed love of nature I surprised that he is not bringing this proposal forward at once and lobbying with
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Glenn Fletcher
1/7/2022 08:51:10 pm
I think Jason's campaign to improve respect for all wildlife is exemplary. A key factor has been his polite but persistent dialogue with Natural England. Public bodies can be reluctant to change but they do, in my experience inside as well as outside Government, want to do the right thing.
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Richard Picklebury
1/7/2022 07:59:44 pm
Keep up all your hard work fighting for nature. I’m glad to know there are people like you out there who care and try to make a difference. All the best buddy!
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Alan Bell
1/7/2022 08:20:28 pm
Brilliant article, thanks for everything you do, I'm older than you and I remember lots of nature, still waiting to see my first cabbage white in the garden this year !!!
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Rachael Holding
1/7/2022 08:40:43 pm
Well done Jason, pleased to see your hard work is paying off. Nature needs our help more than ever now, and the tragic loss of so many beautiful birds to Avian flu is devastating. Culling of any bird should be stopped while this disease continues to cause carnage.
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Susie Clarke
1/7/2022 09:06:43 pm
Wow every word you wrote resonated with me in my heart. Thank you for your dedication and (com)passion. Made me think of this quote:
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Stu Nutt
1/7/2022 09:10:12 pm
It's only one step, but that is a coninuing sign of more .
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Anne Dexter
1/7/2022 10:14:57 pm
Well done Jason, your persistence is gaining momentum even if it takes a long time. I was wondering if the RSPB are getting involved at all or are they agreeing with Natural England that culling certain species is necessary? I have my suspicions.
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Andrew Edwards
1/7/2022 10:50:17 pm
When did the human race decide that we were the executor of all life on Earth; if any species was in dramatic need of a cull it would be Humans, especially those that think they are 'cultured and religious'! There can be no argument against that
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Eileen Wild
2/7/2022 11:00:28 am
I totally agree with you!
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Susan Pluthero
2/7/2022 07:46:47 am
I too am a lot older than you, and remember my childhood being full of nature. We have destroyed the homes of much of the flora and fauna of this country in the name of “progress”, and now the animals themselves as well in many cases. You are so inspirational in turning the tide, Jason, and turn it you have even though progress may be slow. Thank you for all your hard work and for being persistent in a polite way.
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Simon George Spratt
2/7/2022 08:54:35 am
That sounds like the best possible news, Jason!! I personally don’t think that culling ANY creatures will ever do any good.
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Ruth Pilkington
2/7/2022 09:31:50 am
Beautifully expressed, Jason. My childhood was similar and my love of nature has only increased over the years. I am now encouraging this interest in nature with my grandchildren. I think encouragement is all that is needed with young children as they are eager to find out about things, especially when they see enthusiasm in those around them.
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Sian
2/7/2022 10:16:37 am
Jason
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Eileen Wild
2/7/2022 10:58:25 am
Well done Jason, it’s about time that more people took an interest in what you have said. You should see the amount of plastic and other rubbish that floats around where I live. More should be taught in primary schools, and I think our local Councils could do more, our refuse collectors do not pick up anything except the bins, other rubbish is just left where it falls! I could say a lot more, but I wish you well and hope more people rally to the cause of nature.
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Wendy Haslam
2/7/2022 11:11:19 am
Thank you for all the work you do Jason. If nobody spoke up I suspect this world would be a cement desert by now. I wonder though how much of Natural England's change of heart is because their work is mostly being done for them now by this year's ultra virulent bird flu. which I hear on R4 this morning, started in an intensive farming chicken farm in China. Not that where it is is relevant, these torture chambers for birds are all over Europe and elsewhere.
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Gareth Huw Lewis
2/7/2022 12:32:54 pm
Once again Jason-your persistence and polite dialogue with a public body has been rewarded. Like you I find it upsetting that native bird species are killed simply from doing what they do naturally-heaven forbid, Cormorants daring to eat fish!
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Helen Davey-Smith
4/7/2022 12:25:45 am
You’re right about the empathy for Nature and our natural environment and the importance of acting on that empathy. We can all make a difference in so many different relatively easy ways. What you are doing here is a win for empathy.
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Richard C
4/7/2022 07:53:22 am
Conciousness has to change and in that change it needs to expand. The view of Nature as something to be dominated as if that were ever more than a piece of egotistical human stupidity is givng way to a better grasp that we are just a part of it and a fragile part of it too clinging to a fragile eco system that we are blindly disrupting. But whether we make that change in time seems very touch and go.
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Rosemary Walton
14/7/2022 04:59:31 pm
Well done Jason. Excellent blog and excellent work. Thank you and keep up the good work.
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Keith Dancey
22/7/2022 08:45:27 pm
The most important factor involved with worsening climate change and the losses of both biodiversity and bioabundance is... the size of the human population (locally and globally).
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Spurwing Plover
1/6/2023 07:24:13 am
No need for the cull when they need better management them this kind of stuff
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