Disappointing news to report today.... Natural England have told me that the long awaited and much anticipated 2019 wildlife licensing statistics, scheduled to be published by the end of this month, will NOT include detailed numbers for each species affected under their licences. This in spite of the fact that they had told me they hoped to include this key information going forward.
2019 licence stats were expected to include detailed figures... After I complained that the 2018 statistics (published in January) were lacking some significant detail, interim operations director David Slater told me that "as part of our plans to publish the 2019 data in March we hope to include the numbers, similar to what we gave you for your FOI". However now it seems that the 2019 data may be just as basic and ambiguous as the previous set of figures. "....the total numbers for each licence type won’t be part of this package at this time...." This news is likely to cause consternation among the supporters and followers of our petition who have been asking, for a considerable time, why Natural England appear to be reticent in providing detailed figures for the wildlife actions they licence, in particular the licences they issue approving lethal control of thousands of our native birds. As many of you will know, it was only through freedom of information requests that I was able to obtain statistics and reveal the shocking numbers of birds killed under licence. Subsequently, a stunned public, previously unaware of the scale of this officially sanctioned killing, began to demand much more transparency and accountability from Natural England and its secretive licensing system. So, I was dismayed when, on Monday, Natural England informed me that "we do plan to publish the 2019 data at the end of March.......[but] the total numbers for each licence type won’t be part of this package at this time". I asked Mr Slater for an explanation of this decision and he told me "There are quite strict rules when we publish data, it needs to be defendable and explainable and the maximum numbers do give a exaggerated picture of actual numbers of animals that were subject to controls. While we do have that data for some species - the data is much more onerous to collect for others so it would be an incomplete picture anyway." I have questioned this decision and have suggested to Mr Slater that publishing the maximum figures attached to each licence is relevant and would be of public interest as (either in theory or in practice) this is in fact the actual number for which Natural England has issued approval. For example, if Natural England issue a licence to kill 1000 Herring gulls then, regardless of how many gulls the licence holder finally kills, he or she would have permission from Natural England to kill up to 1000 of the birds. This may, according to Natural England, give an exaggerated picture of the actual final numbers killed but nevertheless that maximum figure is permitted and perfectly achievable without any wrong doing on the part of the licence holder. In other words, the figure appearing on the licence, exaggerated or not, is the figure approved by Natural England. Mr Slater has invited me to discuss the data with him and raise any questions I might have. My intention, when the data is published later this month, is indeed to examine some of the individual licences and ask some relevant questions. So watch this space. This may be a small step backwards but the campaign goes on.... PLEASE SIGN/SHARE THE PETITION HERE
47 Comments
Avril Elliott
3/3/2020 08:55:01 pm
Stop killing our birds, stop handing out licenses to try to legalise killing!
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James Butan
3/3/2020 10:16:25 pm
I would not have expected anything less. As usual , kick it into the long grass. Then maybe, some years later, if you are lucky, the standard, “ lessons will be learned”, and the smoke will go up the chimney just the same. Face it - they are not accountable.
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allan davies
4/3/2020 08:51:10 am
I am asuuming that Natural England is a public body,a service run for us all. If so,then as a public body acting on out behalf,it should be openly obliged by law to provide all information to those it is reputedly representing, us the public.
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Graham Robinson
9/3/2020 11:57:24 pm
I’m sorry but it needs saying that largely Natural England know what they are about, they have outside information coming in of which they need to base their decisions, with accumulated experience, what’s the use in supplying the the general public with information regarding a subject of which they know little or nothing. NE are fully aware that the world is full of good intentioned ‘don’t kill anything’ people, ‘which doesn’t work’ that’s why they don’t freely give out their info because of getting flak, these same do-gooders are usually the same people who would throw their plastic rubbish out of their car window, take their dogs for a walk on some beauty spot and selfishly lose their dogs off lead in the bird nesting season or strim and hack away in their garden at a weekend in spring when everything starts breeding, these are the ones you need to attack, they are far more damaging to wildlife. Believe me I see it all the time.
pauline allon
4/3/2020 01:47:02 pm
Why are Natural England embarking on this massive kill - we need to monitor their action very carefully I agree but why do we need to kill so many birds in the first place why is the Government hand out these licences to kill. We have a climate emergency on our hands which will affect the survival of many animals and plants. We should be protecting animals and plants and stop handing out licences to kill.
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Julie Deacon
7/3/2020 11:50:29 am
I totally agree Pauline, we are trying to save our wildlife all over the world and to ban hunting and shooting yet this is ok?. This is not ok....why do we need to cull birds....Ducks getting in the way of cyclists again!!!!!!...REALLY?
Marilyn Barker
4/3/2020 04:11:13 pm
Under the current Freedom of Information legislation Natural England is required to be open and honest, but this law is open to manipulation via avoidance/delaying tactics/vagueness etc as we can see.
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Keith Dancey
8/3/2020 01:17:32 pm
" stop handing out licenses to try to legalise killing!"
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Ann Beirne
3/3/2020 08:56:14 pm
They know they are in the wrong, there is no need to issue licences at all, this is why they won't publish the true figures ever.
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Barbara harvey
3/3/2020 09:09:00 pm
Join extinction rebellion unless you get a big crowd and make a fuss they won't stop til we are all dead
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Joyce Williams
3/3/2020 09:20:37 pm
What are the RSPB doing about this they claim to protect birds??
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Edward Barratt
4/3/2020 07:50:01 am
RSPB attempts at 'protection' are sadly highly selective. They have failed in one of the most important challenges of all: transforming the attitudes and behaviour of the owners of cats. A cultural change is needed to address the very widespread public ignorance and indifference. Thanks to Jason for reminding us about RSPB reserves and the seemingly excessive killing of wild animals. As a member (for the time being at least), I have been able to question them about this.
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4/3/2020 11:51:22 am
I asked this question, to date no one from RSPB has got back to me.
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Keith Dancey
8/3/2020 01:05:09 pm
"What are the RSPB doing about this they claim to protect birds??"
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Geoff Oliver
3/3/2020 09:28:46 pm
Will the information be available through the Freedom of Information Act?
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Geoff Halpin
3/3/2020 09:39:16 pm
I find We have a classic case Of Civil Servants not Doing Their Job's On The Picture At start Is My favourite British Bird " The Bullfinch " I want To Know If and Why they are on the List , with 200,000 Possible Birds In The British Isles I hardly Think These Few Birds Can Do Much Damage ! If It is down To Fruit Growers surely they can Protect their Investment and Leave Some For Our Birds ? Natural England is acting Like A secret Society , Who Are They Protecting and If Government is Behind This there Should Be More Done to Protect What Is British ! WHEN DID YOU LAST SEE A BULLFINCH ???? My Last siting was in The 1980;s
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greg
4/3/2020 08:21:10 am
Good day to you sir, I last saw bullfinches, male + female @ Pennington Flash Lancs Sunday last, see them each time we visit.
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Rowena Owen
4/3/2020 01:58:43 pm
It is so reassuring to hear of guaranteed bullfinch sightings! I hope a license to kill doesn't affect this merry little bunch of birdies, maybe due to their inconsiderate singing, or maybe due to the site of their nests. Some idiot imbecile may yet, with their breakfast dippy egg still dripping from their chin, go ruin your wonderful experience, for the thrill of the kill. SORRY, for conservation!
Fiona Roberts
3/3/2020 09:48:04 pm
They know the numbers would horrify us, please keep after them.
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Wildlife Angels
3/3/2020 09:54:30 pm
We have submitted a judicial review due to the neglect of serial killing of birds and wildlife in our local area
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Keith Dancey
8/3/2020 01:10:23 pm
You sound completely incoherent. No wonder permission was refused.
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Dorothy A Bishop
3/3/2020 10:15:47 pm
I see no reason why the known numbers cannot be published, surely it is easy to say information incomplete.
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Ray J Taylor
3/3/2020 10:40:32 pm
I would assume the reason for Natural England not providing figures is because once the licenses are issued (for whatever reason and for whatever number) they have no means of monitoring the actual numbers killed. How can they? Unless they have staff in situ at the time it is carried out. It’s an appalling act of vandalism unless they can provide evidence of health and/or endangerment to the public.
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Anne Waldon
3/3/2020 10:50:04 pm
It might also be worth considering these licences alongside the release of an extraordinary number of non-native gamebirds into the countryside.
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Graham Robinson
11/3/2020 08:57:41 pm
The release of 60million pheasants/partridge! These birds are released into well managed areas of the countryside which are a great benefit to natural native species ‘which are in great peril in other areas of farmland’ which generally have been trashed and poisoned.
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Don Chetland
3/3/2020 11:24:11 pm
This is just not on. Where do we live? China? Please keep trying. There must be some big guns we can bring to bear!
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Arthur Spirling
4/3/2020 12:14:43 am
This is perverse. Members of Natural England are making decisions on behalf of us the tax paying public. The data should be made available to us. They have decided, on our behalf, what maximum number of any species may be killed. The fact that they do not know precisely how many are killed is appalling but does not detract from the decision they made on our behalf. Keep up the pressure. Many Thanks
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Adrian Boyle
4/3/2020 12:42:51 am
Please can you provide an example of a FOI request for a single species?
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Alan Clark
4/3/2020 08:09:24 am
The position of NE is untenable and unacceptable. They must be adopting this position with the approval of whoever they report to. Who is this? Presumably a government dept.
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Richard Turner
4/3/2020 08:45:47 am
I see no legitimate reasons at all for not disclosing the information requested. What excuses do they have ? Can we submit another FOI request as soon as possible ?
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Wendy Atkinson
4/3/2020 09:30:43 am
their is no reason to allow licences that kill wild life
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Lesley
4/3/2020 09:37:06 am
More obfuscation and delay, which seems the norm these days, whether private company or an organisation funded by public money. Presumable their goal is that we give up and go away.
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Kev Petford
4/3/2020 09:39:22 am
Natural England is a non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. May 25 2019
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Wildlife Angels
5/3/2020 02:42:44 pm
Anyone who would like to bring Natural England, Defra, Environment Agency into account for their neglect to the environment please support our effort.
Stephen Thomas
4/3/2020 10:16:19 am
WHY DO WE NEED TO KILL ANYTHING IN THE WILD ?
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4/3/2020 10:38:50 am
It's a pity they don't even know that 'data' is plural not singular ('datum'), so if they don't even know that it should be 'these data are' I wonder even more about their scientific capabilities.
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BoB Howson
4/3/2020 10:39:58 am
Given, as someone commented, that there is no oversight a license isn't worth anything really but it's all we've got. Thanks Jason for keeping on with what must feel like pushing back against a tsunami. You're so right that actually the permissions are as issued - that number of that species can be killed. It's tragic at any time but at a time of dire climate and environmental pressures it beggars belief.
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Rowena Owen
4/3/2020 01:46:12 pm
It looks to be very easy to do a Freedom of Information (FOI on Natural England site) from Natural England.
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Christine Burden
4/3/2020 03:57:40 pm
Surely 360,000 people have a right to have their questions answered.
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Linda Fullerton
4/3/2020 05:05:00 pm
What are Natural England hiding from us , would we be really shocked at the true figures if they came out. They
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David Bromley
16/3/2020 12:49:28 pm
I would imagine the RSPB are very uncomfortable about the whole issue. They undoubtably use the licensing system themselves to control birds on their reserves where they impact on rare breeding birds. Also don’t forget the RSPB forms partnerships with government departments and quangos, the eradication of mice preying on seabirds on Gough Island in the Atlantic comes to mind but I’m sure there are many others. Being openly critical about Natural England/ DEFRA wouldn’t help them on this front. The RSPB are far from perfect but they do a lot of good also.
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graham potter
4/3/2020 07:40:40 pm
It is not only the fact they will not disclose the numbers killed, it is also the fact why does man have the right to kill anything.Its always the same when man ihterfears with nature or anything else the will ruin or spoil it.
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5/3/2020 03:35:53 pm
Reading through the comments I am surprised at just how many contributors miss the point of the good work that has been done already. Not by Natural England but by the public to little avail. It might take a while for one committed solicitor to win for the public, but it will happen. Please have faith in our democracy.
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Wildlife Angels
6/3/2020 10:35:45 am
Is there any committed solicitor please? We have been searching over a year and cannot him/her.
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Keith Dancey
8/3/2020 01:51:18 pm
This is deplorable behaviour from Natural England.
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Keith Dancey
10/3/2020 04:07:15 pm
It is interesting that Graham Robinson can slag off critics of Natural England:
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