Well, was it worth waiting for?
Not really. While Natural England have published some wildlife licensing data on their website, as per our discussions last year, the information they have released is not what we were anticipating or hoping for. Frankly, I was expecting something better than this. The published data does contain some information on a wide range of species (birds, mammals, amphibians and more) for which Natural England has issued licences. This includes the bird lethal control licences which are at the heart of our campaign - but with one important set of figures missing - the actual number of birds approved to be killed under the licences. It is perhaps not surprising that this detail is missing as it is a shocking figure that would no doubt prove highly controversial if it were in the public domain. As I've revealed through freedom of information requests, it is the sheer numbers of birds that Natural England has permitted to be culled under these licences that is the biggest issue - and this, crucially, is missing from the published information. I was, however, led to believe that these statistics would be included. So, on behalf of the 356,000 concerned supporters of our petition, I am hugely disappointed and a little irritated. Natural England told me that it is their intention to be much more transparent going forward. If this is Natural England being more transparent then they have a very long way to go. And I will be asking for an explanation from them in the next few days. You can see the published data HERE And please keep sharing our petition HERE
30 Comments
Martin Fox
17/1/2020 07:38:01 pm
Locally we had a County Council tree Office condemn a magnificent Pine tree on the grounds that the top had broken off, he was looking at the Buzzards nest.
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trev
17/1/2020 07:38:38 pm
They've obviously deliberately omitted that information out of embarrassment, and the fact that they're embarrassed means they are ashamed because they KNOW they are in the wrong. It's a pity that it is left to people such as yourself Jason to expose this outrage, it really should have been the job of the RSPB, what else are they for? Why aren't they investigating this?
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Carole Sutton
17/1/2020 08:03:37 pm
As a member of the RSPB I shall be asking this very question. It is totally unacceptable that they are allowing this to happen.
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17/1/2020 08:18:21 pm
It would be good if you could pursue this with the RSPB, Carole. "Natural England" doesn't sound very representative of Nature. Who are they? What right do they think they have to decide which creatures live and which die. The last thing we need is for the wild world to be reduced. We share this planet with other creatures. They aren't here for our convenience.
Tim Finch
17/1/2020 09:33:25 pm
Hi Carole and others interested...
Pamela Allen
21/1/2020 12:54:47 pm
RSPB is not fit for purpose as stated below RSPB are there to observe and not to intervene not to help birds they will sit on their perch and watch bird populations decrease as they have this applies to the British Ornithology - Useless the public need to know before they pay their subs is this really what they are paying for...
Edward Barratt
17/1/2020 08:26:00 pm
This is deeply disappointing. I agree about the RSPB. I'm a member and wouldn't give that up. But, at the moment, they seem to think that nature is there mainly to be observed by humans, rather than respected and protected. Its probably better to try to challenge this from within, rather than outside, the RSPB.
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NIGEL GRAY
18/1/2020 12:20:18 pm
Hi Edward,
Ruth G
17/1/2020 08:39:13 pm
Yes the whole point of the request was to find out the numbers of birds killed so we only have half the answer! something to hide ??I am also an RSPB member & cant think why they are not more involved in all this.m Some serious questions I need to ask I think.As it involves the govt dept, maybe they dont want to rub them up the wrong way,! why?
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17/1/2020 07:42:34 pm
It has happened here in Ireland
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Rebecca
17/1/2020 07:59:11 pm
We are in a climate and possibly looking at animals being exstinct and this mindless murder is still allowed to happen for no real justifiable reason or for any purpose
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Richard
17/1/2020 08:10:05 pm
Well, it is a step forward perhaps, but begs many questions. The numbers of birds and mammals killed is needed, but also where, and why. What could possibly justify the killing of a curlew, for instance? Difficult to avoid the suspicion that in many instances licences are issued in order to support fishing and game shooting interests. I'd love to be wrong.
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John Crowther
17/1/2020 08:10:46 pm
Thank you Jason for all your efforts and perseverance in getting to this stage with Natural England. Although it’s disappointing that they’ve been very selective about what has been included (and excluded), it does at least provide the basis for further improvement and, hopefully, greater transparency, so I wouldn’t be too upset about what you’ve achieved so far.
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Terry
17/1/2020 08:10:46 pm
Just sent my newly elected MP this link, asking for his help to push for more transparent/detailed reasons for this
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Mitch Homer
17/1/2020 08:25:30 pm
I’ve read through the brief data publication provided by Unnatural England, and i am convinced this is an organisation that needs to be brought to account immediately. Especially when they use language such as ‘our experts carefully consider when to issue licenses’ and they go and issue these licenses to blood thirsty individuals who simply can’t tell the difference from one species to another. These people aren’t experts, they’re morons. It’s an absolute disgrace. I’m disgusted!
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mark john sparks
17/1/2020 08:26:42 pm
Humans are so very lucky that they are at the top of the technology
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Zoe Wild
17/1/2020 09:04:30 pm
Dear all
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Andrew
17/1/2020 11:40:11 pm
If you want to see Natural England challenged then support Chris Peckham and his colleagues at Wild Justice.
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Denise booth
18/1/2020 10:35:42 am
They must've chosen the least compassionate and heartless people to do this task.
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Don
17/1/2020 11:40:51 pm
If Natural England (NE) holds the information requested by the FOIA request, then NE is legally obliged to provide it, unless that information is exempt from disclosure under the provisions of the FOIA. If the information wasn't provided and it isn't exempt, then NE is breaking the law and a complaint can be submitted to the Information Commissioners Office, which has a general duty to investigate such complaints.
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Linda
18/1/2020 12:10:13 am
I am so bewildered with the human race, some think they are above nature. Not possible. No respect for nature which is a disgrace in itself. Thank you Jason and all the decent people who care.
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Richard
18/1/2020 12:20:03 am
It increasingly seems to me that many public institutions are peopled with "right kind" of bureaucrats with little real knowledge or interest and that its going to be the public who are both interested and knowledgable who must force the issue. This whole wildlife issue is almost a sick joke with hedges, the natural habitat of many species inclucing the aptly named and rapidly decreasing hedgehog, being regularly decimated to gain a couple more feet of planting space by farmers who care only about yields. Hopefully the loss of the common agricultural policy will change some of this but its clear that the public has to become active in forcing a better overall policy and Natural England is clearly in need of serious reform.
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James Bunyan
18/1/2020 08:53:01 am
I am not in the least surprised, at Natural England,s response. It is pure public sector - they bury their dead at night. It is anathema, for them to admit that they may be wrong. What do you expect from an organisation that accepts culling of mallards, to protect cyclists?
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Alan Fox
18/1/2020 09:46:20 am
https://naturalengland.blog.gov.uk/2020/01/17/natural-englands-licensing-statistics-for-2018/
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NIGEL GRAY
18/1/2020 11:45:05 am
I contacted the RSPB last November with several concerns, and also cancelled my membership as I think that as an organisation they have become complacent at a time when so many birds are endangered, and there are so many pressing environmental issues.
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Jill
18/1/2020 12:07:19 pm
Well done Jason, so grateful to you for all you're doing. I agree totally with so many above comments, Mitch, Mark, etc, I'm also an RSPB member and would expect more of them. I feel quite dismissive of Natural England. Hopeless. Amazed they have authority to give licence to kill. While trying to protect a site from development , and prevent builder from felling trees with nesting birds in, I was disgusted that Natural England turned their backs. Only police wildlife officers leapt into the breach. Says it all.
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Edward Meryon
18/1/2020 01:24:03 pm
Your link does not seem to take us to the published data and I could not find it.
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Timothy Spring
20/1/2020 02:45:40 pm
For people who cannot envisage the differing birds that might be regarded by Natural England as their "potential to be condemned" species may I suggest that you organise a list of all those under threat so that we may each write in support of the species and condemn such an organisation for taking it upon themselves to actually act against the birds' right to life. The only reason to want to kill a bird is, for example, the type of people looking to "protect their livelihood" - ie. save their game for hunters paying a premium price for the privilege, and God forbid we stop their fun and lose their cash - except that God must be furious. I certainly am.
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Keith Dancey
5/2/2020 12:12:09 am
The Natural England web site pointed to above is a complete shambles.
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