Freedom Of Information Request Prompts Natural England Response....
Hi folks, Just to let you know that the complete bird control licence data is due for publication on 10th March. Natural England finally contacted me about it earlier this week, but only after I submitted a freedom of information request to obtain the figures. Unfortunately prior to that they had been completely ignoring my enquiries. The same thing happened last year, with the proposed publication date being moved from March to June, all a bit of a farce which even saw 10 Downing Street involved at one point. For an organisation that appears desperate to tell us that they have 'nothing to hide', they nevertheless seem somewhat reluctant to let us see the licensing statistics without a bit of a fight. Anyway, I am told that the results of my freedom of information request will be available next month, together with simultaneous publication on the Government's website. The Head of Natural England's Wildlife Licensing Service told me that my request has been "discussed" and said "we’ve got everything in place to provide the stats in our FOI response by 10th March." He also added "concurrently, we will prepare the information for its publication on our gov.uk webpage," and pointed out that "the statistics should be in the same format as what you have received before, so hopefully this will allow you to easily analyse and compare data with previous years". So it's good news - but I have to say that Natural England should be publishing the data without pressure from me each year to get it released. During discussions I had with them in 2019, they promised to do this as a matter of course going forward, but each year since it seems they have needed a reminder and some persuasion. As soon as the figures are available I will let you know, then begins the work of sifting through the data and seeing what is there..... Best, Jase
29 Comments
Jennifer Budden
19/2/2022 05:15:02 pm
Did you see that a white eagle that had been released on the Isle of Wight was shot and killed in Dorset. The local MP who received £14,000 for his election campaign from the local shooting estate said that eagles should not appear in Dorset? Try West Country Morning News for write up if google doesn't work
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Julia Lowe
19/2/2022 05:42:07 pm
White tail eagles often known as Sea Eagles generally catch fish. Eagles, are not generally a threat to shooting estates, pheasants etc unless the game are stupid enough to come out of cover, which in my book makes them fair game for any predator.
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Graham
19/2/2022 08:12:12 pm
No I did not can you supply any information because I am a Dorset resident and whildt not surprised I am bloody angry and would to see a response from the agencies
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Ellen Portess
19/2/2022 09:41:59 pm
Disgusted. Words fail me -polite words, anyway😓. Cannot understand why trigger-happy morons feel obliged to shoot anything that moves. So sad for wildlife, and decent-minded humanity.
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Bruce
20/2/2022 12:44:01 pm
Its time guns were banned. Its the only way to stop the gun fanatics killing whatever they like. Unfortunately I have more faith in the authenticity of a nine pound note than I have in the police to uphold the law.
BoB Howson
20/2/2022 03:33:07 pm
I think it was 2 found dead and I think close together but don't quote me on that. The local MP said that the money required by the Police for investigating it would be much better spent on other things. That's not a quote, I've softened his words.
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Maria
20/2/2022 09:46:31 pm
How extremely concerning
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Julia Lowe
19/2/2022 05:50:40 pm
I sincerely hope Red Kites do not go back on the control list. Anyone who knows anything knows they are generally carrion feeders, cleaning up after us humans, roadkill etc. Yes they will take the opportunity for an easy hunt and kill, but they are generally hunters of open countryside not the woodland areas that pheasants are reared in.
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David Hipkiss
19/2/2022 06:21:27 pm
No use seeking mercy for our precious raptors. Those murdering them are driven by relentless cruel, senseless blood lust.
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Julia Lowe
13/3/2022 04:05:45 pm
Absolutely David, it saddens me that beautiful birds like the Red Kite, who was bought back from the brink of extinction, is now on the kill list. Where will it stop? Buzzards, Kestrels?? Here in Scotland, maybe elsewhere, we have “feeding stations” where people pay a small amount to see red kites being fed each day. - surely this encourages higher populations of these birds, to then put them back on the control list makes no sense whatsoever. These feeding stations should be banned.
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steven fitton
20/2/2022 01:48:10 pm
Do you actually know anything at all about Red Kite population, distribution, what effect they may have on the natural environment. Well I can tell you it is far far less than the Crass element of society that make indiscriminate judgements, statements about things they know nothing about.
Julia Lowe
13/3/2022 04:19:45 pm
Your comment seems in contradiction. Why ban the feeding stations? Red Kites are mainly carrion feeders, gamekeepers and ignorant landowners are the problem not the Kites
Mrs Julie D Withey
19/2/2022 07:00:41 pm
I wish they would leave all wildlife to live in peace i would be interested thank you
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Simon George Spratt
19/2/2022 07:06:16 pm
At least you’ve got the promise of an answer next month!! How this morally illiterate Government continues to attempt to run the country, I will NEVER know!!
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Julie Taylor
19/2/2022 07:16:22 pm
Well I am pleased to hear Natural England have finally agreed to publish this year's data. It would have been much more convincing if they had managed to provide this data off their own bat rather than having to have it dragged out of them ... again! We will watch with interest ...
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ALY CARROLL
19/2/2022 07:55:25 pm
Hope Natural England made time to put objection to "Crooke the youngers" planning app for Broadmead field.
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David Thurlow
19/2/2022 07:17:24 pm
I proudly worked on nature reserves for Natural England and it's predecessors for over 30 years. They once championed our wildlife and wild places.
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Tim Burke
20/2/2022 09:31:16 am
David - to be fair they still do this to an extent. However, as you know, they are now tightly under the DEFRA umbrella (which seems to be more influenced by shooting, (arable) farming, and agro-chemical interests). They also suffered heavy budget cuts as part of the austerity policies. Hence the problems.
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alt carroll
19/2/2022 07:57:00 pm
We are with you on this. X
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Carole Rogers
19/2/2022 08:09:01 pm
I would be interested in seeing what the data says.
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Anne Dexter
19/2/2022 08:14:51 pm
I for one applaud all your efforts on this. I can’t understand why, when we know our eco system is under pressure that these people want to add to it by allowing species to be decimated. I find it abhorrent and extremely upsetting. Keep going Jason.
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Peter Baker
20/2/2022 12:23:40 am
What a pity it is that if more people who really care for the protection of all our wild life do not sign the the many available protests put in front of them.
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20/2/2022 07:27:53 am
They are not going to give in easily. Please keep on at the b******s. They are not doing the job they are supposed to, ie. protect the natural world.
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Gareth Huw Lewis
20/2/2022 01:19:30 pm
Once again, well done Jason-on getting blood out of a stone!-it will be very interesting and I hope not too depressing when are able to see the complete bird control licence data from Natural England next month
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Rosemary Athay
22/2/2022 06:44:52 pm
I suspect (although I am not sure about this) that the species White tailed Eagle may have been around before humans! But it is certainly entitled to as much if not more, respect.
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Henry
22/2/2022 10:31:15 pm
As you say, they should be publishing this information every year, Its important they are accountable to the public who pay their wages.
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Keith Dancey
8/3/2022 04:48:14 pm
Natural England are also 'forcing' Hen Harriers into unnatural and unhealthy relationships, all to serve the interests of the shooting industry!
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