Licences issued by Natural England between 2014 and 2018 granted permission for nearly 2,000 eggs to be taken from Mute Swan nests and destroyed by oiling or pricking.
Mute Swans face many man-made threats to their survival in the UK, including poisoning through absorption of residual lead from fishing, hooks and nylon line left by irresponsible anglers and general pollution of our waterways. This has led to the much loved and iconic species finding its way on to the amber list of conservation concern. But in spite of the majestic Mute Swan's protected status, it seems that hundreds of their eggs are being destroyed under licences issued by decision makers at Natural England, who also allowed a small number of the birds to be shot as they posed a threat to air safety. Licences issued between 2014 and 2018 granted permission for nearly 2,000 eggs to be taken from Mute Swan nests and destroyed by oiling or pricking. Reasons given for this disturbing practice included 'preventing serious damage to growing timber' and 'to preserve flora and fauna'. Wiltshire: worst place to be a Swan Wiltshire seems to be the worst county in England in which to be a Mute Swan. Licence applications from that county alone won the approval of Natural England to 'take or destroy' 1,500 Mute Swan eggs over a three year period. Greater London: Swan eggs destroyed to 'preserve public safety' Though Wiltshire was the worst offender, a single licence holder in Greater London was officially permitted by Natural England to destroy 100 eggs in order to 'preserve public safety'. Aside from the seriously questionable decision to destroy the eggs of an amber listed species, this mistreatment of such a beloved and treasured bird is incredibly sad, and perhaps yet another metaphor for the crass and clumsy attitude of the human race towards nature. Time to close down the Natural England killing machine? With actions like this being sanctioned by Natural England, the ethics and judgement of the government's 'nature agency' continue to be a great cause for concern, and with the horrific and hugely controversial badger cull now being rolled out across wide swathes of the country, we must ask again: is it time to close down the Natural England killing machine?
74 Comments
trev
14/9/2019 04:12:23 pm
Oh my God, it just gets worse.
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Charles Corn
14/9/2019 05:11:01 pm
I thought the Queen owned all swans.
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SUSAN GREEN
14/9/2019 10:30:55 pm
The Queen only owns the swans on the Thames.
Helen Young
15/9/2019 08:39:59 am
Yes I agree with you Charles , how come I thought all swans were protected as owned by the Queen . I wonder does she know ?
Lily Edwards
17/9/2019 12:08:11 pm
I bet Charles does know. He's a huge culprit of wildlife destruction here in Cornwall. !!!
Elizabeth Allison
14/9/2019 05:29:38 pm
You're doing a great job exposing these crimes against Nature, but the general public seems unaware of the atrocities you're uncovering. When I tell friends they don't believe me, especially as the killing is authorised by the organisation that they believe is there to protect wildlife. (Believe it or not , not everyone is on-line! and those that are don't necessarily get the information you're disseminating, which is a great shame) .
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Helen Harrison
14/9/2019 09:16:15 pm
Wholeheartedly agree with your comments. & keep up the good work Jason. If only there were more people like you in the world, exposing these horrific goings on.
John Reading
14/9/2019 06:06:38 pm
How can I help in stopping the process of mute swans being killed, natural England should have there licence revoked from giving any information that is harmful to all bird species in England. We all need to act, Now
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Moira Monaghan
14/9/2019 07:19:17 pm
I agree there is to much cruelty allowed to happen it must be stopped immediately.
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Carole Sutton
14/9/2019 07:31:21 pm
What is the matter with these people? They need locking up, this is wildlife crime at it's worst.
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Michael Williams
16/9/2019 07:10:46 pm
They should recieve the treatment that they issue licences for, but who can we trust to issue licences for the control of Natural England?
Freya Tanz
15/9/2019 09:27:38 am
Thank you for your perseverance and good work. Don’t give up. Natural England should be shut down, there is nothing natural about them, except ignorance.
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gilly
16/9/2019 11:27:17 am
THAT IS NEWS TO ME, THAT THE QUEEN ONLY OWNS THE THAMES SWANS ! THOUGHT THAT ALL SWANS WERE PROTECTED BIRDS IN UK. I AM IN WALES. DO OUR WELSH BIRDS FARE BETTER ?
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Lily Edwards
17/9/2019 04:07:56 pm
Who is the Queen anyway , just a rich woman descended from rich rogues and vagabonds. Thieves and murderers. She does not and should not own any wildlife!!! This world should give freedom to all. I'm sick of them thinking they own everything in sight. How bloody dare they and how dare the government join in with them against what should be right by us all. I despise them so darned much. 😠😡😠😡😠😡😤😤😤 18/9/2019 09:06:03 pm
Instead of culling the swans, move them! Take them to the nature reserves, loads around. Si CE when did cheap culling be given in excuse to 'protect the public'?
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Jane Darling
14/9/2019 04:18:17 pm
I had no idea swan eggs could be taken and destroyed. I understood the swan was protected, so called. Thank you for publicising this and please keep up the campaign in order to stop killing. Why and how do we have a right to kill the creatures at all? Who makes these decisions
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Yvonne
14/9/2019 04:35:21 pm
Oh my god how can this be Natural England, we are a nation of animal lovers not MURDERERS. The powers that be are obviously money grabbing cold hearted murderers who can only justify what they are doing by making excuses, what pulic safety are london preserving?the swans are not a threat to anyone if left alone. There are no health issues that i have ever heard of and plants and crops i have seen swans in fields after the farmer has finished with and not yet plowed for the next rotation so if you don't live in the countryside don't pass a death sentence on what 1 or 2 complain about, too many decisions are made on what townies want or think and not by the people who choose to live in the peace and quiet of the countryside, no problems until overspill and comuters move out of cities but still want what they are used to.
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Frances Wright
14/9/2019 04:39:56 pm
I am a townie. I love swans. I do not agree with efforts to destroy them. Their beauty is amazing.
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robert smith
15/9/2019 09:02:11 am
I agree with your comments, I recently asked for help from Natural England with regards to a planning application for 1100 home development surrounding woods near to my home. The woodland has all varieties of wildlife, I have not had the courtesy of a reply, however I found the RSPB were most helpful and were objectors to building just 15 metres from this aincient woodland. The decision that was approved by the Secretary of State - Javid. We moved to the country for a quiet life, this is fast disappearing in the countryside. I applaud Jason Endfield for what he is doing.
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Michael Deane
15/9/2019 09:36:57 am
Actually there are alot of country people very willing and keen to slaughter wildlife using any feeble excuse, or none at all.
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Eddie Gould
14/9/2019 04:37:01 pm
This organisation should be called Un-natural England. I wonder who gets the licences to kill our wildlife? people who obviously love killing and therefore deserve nothing but contempt from decent people. It is time to get rid of this disgusting organisation and take the 'masters. to court and make them pay.
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14/9/2019 09:04:51 pm
I still think the hunting,shooting and fishing thugs are responsible and obviously have friends in NE.
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Susan Buckley
15/9/2019 08:32:37 am
To behave in the way that they do is to condone that sort of behaviour. The trouble is that NE are just an arm of Defra and more and more are merely supporting their farming and landowning buddies (lots of them MPs or friends of). I believe the licencing given under protection of public safety nonsense actually is issued under Defra. Unfortunately, the animals that most puts the public at risk are humans and that's one licence even Defra will not issue (you would like to think - although there are some landowners who I am sure would even be happy with this). MPs and the media seem to share the same buddies which is why these atrocities are kept under wraps. Attacking MPs and their landowning friends will land you in big doo-doo and probably not get the results you want. We need to spread the word as much as we can and let others know of Jason's site, Mark Avery's blog, and Unatural England in general. If you end up in prison you will not be able to help at all, because the media will once again close ranks and nobody will know where you are or why you are there. 3/7/2023 02:26:24 am
The swan nest on river itchen navigation- near a rowing club was destroyed via application to oli eggs and remove the nesting swans - the boat house wanted the cob removed but i believe wanted to control swan polpulation which was cruel and unneeded. I fought to get them better protected by fencing and signs as dogs were being let off leads around nest( this was i believe encouraged by winchester college river warden)
Birgit Fujer
14/9/2019 04:37:37 pm
There was I thinking,all swans are protected under the royal seal. What the hell is going on in deccission makers minds. Animals can't speak up for themselfs so we have to keep on petitioning and generally annoying the people in authority. What do they mean with "public safety" anyway?Swans are gorgeous creatures and a beautyful sight.
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Ursula Merchant
14/9/2019 05:18:46 pm
I am in total agreement with your comments, how do they dare to call themselves 'Natural England' when their whole purpose of existence seems to be killing England's natural wildlife.Like you I thought all swans are protected by the crown. Wildlife and nature are already under pressure from the ever increasing population, pollution, discarded fishing hooks and lines, vandalism, etc.
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It really does get worse. Your description of this group as a killing machine is very appropriate and they have recently approved the culling of more badgers, even though latest statistics show there has been no reduction in tb in cattle, rather a 140% increase since culling began. Does anything good ever come from Natural England?
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Andrew Jackson
14/9/2019 04:54:54 pm
Human greed is boundless and the urge to kill anything that reduces profits runs deep. So we kill some, then when more appear, we'll kill them too, until the last starving bird gets condemned by Natural England. I despair...
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14/9/2019 04:55:38 pm
Naive question: don't all swans belong to the Queen? How come they are ALLOWED to be killed, as eggs or birds? And as for badgers, they have been among my favourite animals all my life. All birds and animals have as much right to life as we have. By all means, Natural England's 'killing machine' should be stopped without delay.
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14/9/2019 09:09:19 pm
She does indeed, or at least in a token sense, but please remember the Queen and her family are hunters. It doesn't bode well for the wildlife does it?
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Rosemary Hunt
14/9/2019 04:56:50 pm
"Today, of course, swans are no longer eaten and are a protected species. Apart from the Crown, there are only three organisations that have retained their right of ownership of mute swans and maintained their unique swan marks. ... Today, the Crown's right of ownership exists by Royal prerogative."
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14/9/2019 05:02:14 pm
I am ashamed to live in the God forsaken country what has happened to Britain we used to be a nation that loved & protected Wildlife, now we seem as disgusting as Asia killing seems to be all these disgraceful humans do. WHO makes these horrendous decisions because they need replacing by compassionate humans with a real willingness to protect life not needlessly destroy it. I consider this murder unacceptable.
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William Thompson
14/9/2019 05:03:12 pm
How can this continue unchallenged by those who are supposed to represent us? I have written numerous times to my MP (Andrew Jones) a self proclaiming friend of wildlife who never answers my letters.
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Kath Derrer
14/9/2019 05:10:01 pm
This practice has to stop now! I thought swans were a protected species! How can Natural England allow this to happen? Not very "natural" if it goes against nature. The swans are not harming anyone. Leave them alone. No wonder they're on the amber list! I would like to meet the people that allowed this - and give them what for!
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Peter Williams
14/9/2019 05:17:28 pm
Once again the question has to be asked - where do the RSPB stand as regards this organisation! Why aren't they going after them in an open and obvious way?
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Gerry Sheldon
14/9/2019 05:23:10 pm
According to https://www.royal.uk/swans
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Gerry Sheldon
14/9/2019 05:29:05 pm
Oops! I beg your pardon, English Heritage, I meant to say (un)Natural England!
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John Spooner
14/9/2019 05:28:25 pm
I read with increasing horror each week Jason's statements regarding the incredible Natural England, and their complete lack of understanding of this country. We are animal and bird lovers, not murderers, but seems we are. I have been a member of the RSPB for many years, and I will be writing to them to make them aware of the atrocities that are being carried out. We must find a way to make this organisation accountable for and justify its actions. before these licenses are awarded.
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Joy Marlborough
17/9/2019 11:13:02 pm
Who are these people, those who are at the head of so called Natural England, who take decisions to kill off the wonderful creatures who decorate our countryside. What will be left for our grandchildren. Something must be done. Can’t they be taken to court?
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Dee Collins
14/9/2019 05:30:24 pm
Like all others, I thought that swans belonged to the Queen? This is disgusting, why have we turned from animal/wildlife lovers into murderers? Swans are beautiful, graceful, elegant creatures who must be distraught when their eggs are taken. If it was a member of the public doing this they would be arrested and charged, so why are NE allowed to do this, not only unpunished, but encouraged????
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Mirna
14/9/2019 05:35:27 pm
I do not agree with this practices...but the question is what are we going to do about it?
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Eileen Goldsmith
14/9/2019 05:41:40 pm
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Stephen Hardy
14/9/2019 05:53:06 pm
I think it's definitely time to close down the (Un)Natural England killing machine - the government's very own "nature agency". Mind you, it is a Tory government and they know a thing or two about destruction. Seems like there's some kind of hidden agenda here to destroy nature itself, what with mass culling of animals and birds, and the wide spread felling of healthy trees in various parts of the country. Probably all part of Agenda 21/Agenda 20/30 "sustainability program".
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Christina Lane
14/9/2019 06:05:52 pm
I wish they would do it to seagulls' eggs, as they need culling.
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John Dyda
14/9/2019 06:28:14 pm
The only species that needs culling is homo sapiens.
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Robert Harrison
14/9/2019 10:35:36 pm
Totally agree with you. When I watch loads of animals they give me pleasure When I watch loads of humans they do the opposite
Andrea Hendrick
15/9/2019 08:11:18 am
Wonderful idea, when can we start. 14/9/2019 07:00:42 pm
Why they are an iconic sea birds with just as much right to have a life as you do. The best things to cull is humans
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Jeannette Turner
14/9/2019 06:23:41 pm
I think it's high time the Natural England killing machine is shut down for good....before they kill all of Britain's wildlife! I'd love to hear what Sir David Attenborough thinks of this so-called "nature agency". They make a total mockery of their name and their reason for being!
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John Dyda
14/9/2019 06:27:13 pm
I suppose the first thing to do would be to have a physical presence outside their HQ with large banners etc in protest and hopefully attract the press or TV.
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Ray J Taylor
14/9/2019 07:09:16 pm
I don’t know why, if the eggs are taken, why they cannot be incubated and released as signets or older when they are of age. I’m sure somewhere like Slimbridge or another reserve would be happy to take them rather than the eggs be destroyed. If they took the trouble, the eggs could even be placed in another swans nest for hatching. This is unacceptable behaviour by Natural England and they need to be held to account.
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Tim Finch
14/9/2019 07:11:30 pm
This is such a sickening thing to be happening. Jason you have done such a great job in exposing these tragic abuses of power and of our country's much treasured wildlife. Thank you! It seems clear that Natural England has lost its way and become the tool of a group of ill-thinkers who do not care about the destruction they do to these creatures that have rights to live, and to be allowed to thrive, in these lands we call ours. They do not realise or remember that it is WE HUMANS that are the invasive species, it is we who multiply without let up thereby endangering ourselves, the wonderful wildlife we share our habitats with, and the future of the planet.
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Martin
14/9/2019 08:02:52 pm
Obscene... shameful and utterly incomprehensible!
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Mrs. Evereld Carroll Trevor
14/9/2019 08:28:28 pm
Why does everyone suddenly want to exterminate our wonderful wildlife? This is so cruel and totally unnecessary. The human race is a vile beast that I am NOT proud to be part of atm.
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Janet Jackson
14/9/2019 08:38:19 pm
Just when I think that it can't get any worse, you issue even more bad news, this time about our regal mute swans. What kind of menace are they to public safety? I regularly feed them from my hand, elated as the silent message goes out to swans in other areas of the lake or river, sending them hurrying over to me. I was amazed to watch a particularly determined swan climb up an 18 inch high bank, on his chest, raising himself gradually higher, until his feet could reach the grass. He waddled over and took his reward, 2 hands full of seeds, with a proud glint in his eye.
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14/9/2019 08:51:50 pm
OMG are these people sadistic or just stupid! What they're doing is horrendous. Please continue to be a thorn in their side.
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Carol Brown
14/9/2019 09:45:55 pm
This is disgusting outright murder of a beautiful bird. Natural England needs to be stopped and shut down immediately. Why does the British Government think this is the 'right way' to treat and take care of British Wildlife. What will be left for future generations.
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Ralf Hoffmann
14/9/2019 09:50:38 pm
Natural England - not fit for purpose and are are national disgrace.
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K.Clark
14/9/2019 10:02:11 pm
I thought that all swans belonged to the Queen,Dought if she will have given permission.
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Julia Thomas
15/9/2019 09:30:48 am
London 07 October - Extinction Rebellion anyone?
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Grace
15/9/2019 01:13:00 pm
Once again I am dumbfounded by a Government Dept that is supposed to protect our Natural Environment and all that Live and grow in it!!
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Dawn
15/9/2019 03:05:25 pm
The more I hear about this organisation the more angry I feel. You would think that a department called Natural England would be for the greater good of wildlife, but it’s not. Natural England should be called Killing England.
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Julie Carpenter
15/9/2019 07:07:49 pm
We have watched swans doing the most beautiful courtship routine, wrapping their necks around each other, it was stunning and we felt priviledged to have witnessed it. This is not something that other people will get to see by the time they have finished culling these utterly beautiful birds. As far we are concerned if people don't stay out of the way of swans, and leave them alone they can take their chances, particularly when they have cygnets. Do we really have to kill these monogamous birds eggs to protect morons from what they should not be doing in the first place.
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Colin
16/9/2019 11:57:11 am
I see that one of the reasons given is "preventing serious damage to growing timber" !! Really? Who has ever seen Mute Swans in woodland or in a young plantation? Obviously some of the people issuing these ridiculous licences are complete and utter idiots with no knowledge of wildlife and no care for conservation!
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Debbie Macmillan
16/9/2019 12:40:06 pm
Swans belong to the Queen so how can Narural England be allowed to kill them or are they not aware of this fact?
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Pwll
16/9/2019 02:29:15 pm
I imagine I'm not the only person commenting on these updates to have wondered where is the RSPB in all this? Just seen one of their investigating officers being very "Grr!" in a regional news item about an egg collector who was imprisoned (and whose collection was handed to the Natural History Museum). And there was dear old Dilger (bless 'im) on hand to reiterate the message about the harm that's done to bird populations by destroying their nests. And yet, with all due respect to the RSPB and their staff, we never hear a squeak out of them when it comes to any "legal" form of persecution of birds. It's true, of course, that the RSPB's focus is on conservation rather than animal welfare (a fact that, as I recall, was always reflected in the way their magazine and other literature were mostly about species that few of us ever see in "real life"). But you'd think that A) we'd know by now the perils of waiting for a species to be already rare before we consider protecting it, and B) a charity that's all about protecting birds would have *something* to say regarding Natural England's policy of issuing so many licences against utterly harmless species (particularly in the light of the fact that some of the species on Natural England's not-so-little list -- ravens, various raptors et al -- *are* rare or in decline). It would be fantastic if the RSPB would show some leadership here; without breaking the law or encouraging others to do so, they'd be quite within their rights to criticise government policy, Natural England's policy in particular, and the law itself where such criticism is clearly warranted. After all, it doesn't make much difference to the birds whether the person destroying their eggs is a criminal collector or a licence holder with all the necessary paperwork.
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Tim Finch
16/9/2019 02:40:24 pm
My email to the RSPB (of which I am a contributing member) on the subject got an automated reply with all sorts of suggestions as to where I might find info on a myriad general information topics. I think the only way to get a response might be to write hard copy letters to the Council.
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16/9/2019 04:14:03 pm
Don't quite get for the safety of the public what is that supposed to mean??. I also thought swans had protection from the wild creatures and forest laws (1971) that protects both birds & eggs
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G Robinson
16/9/2019 08:44:12 pm
I didn’t see my letter in the sample listings, could l be mistaken or is this a bias view of the topic on your behalf.
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Steve R
17/9/2019 10:56:54 am
I have raised this issue with the RSPB and received this reply this morning 17/9/19;
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Tim Finch
17/9/2019 03:35:04 pm
I have now, myself, had a proper reply from the RSPB which is slightly different than that received by Steve R. I think it is reasonably clear that they ARE making an effort to get Natural England to license appropriately but could certainly do with our support by raising the profile of the issue through action beyond the more polite approach that the feel they must restrict themselves to (don't forget that, as a Royal Society, they probably need to tread a little carefully. Here is the text of the reply:
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Tim Finch
18/9/2019 09:28:04 pm
We would probably be best supporting the new charity "Wild Justince" which has been set up to make legal challenges against these licences... see:
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