*Since writing this article, Natural England have been in touch with me and have disputed the figures.
They have confirmed that they issued licences to kill 3222 Brent Geese between 2015 and 2018. In the interests of clarity and accuracy, I have written a second blog post to reflect this, you can read it HERE. Many people have since contacted me and suggested that even a figure of 3222 is unjustifiable, and that issuing licences to shoot an amber listed migratory species cannot be defended under any circumstances.
Every year the beautiful Brent Goose arrives from Siberia, and other areas of extreme cold, to spend the winter here in the UK. The species is amber-listed, being of conservation concern. The RSPB explain that this classification is due to "the important numbers found at just a few sites." In fact the UK population is estimated to be in the region of just 100,000 birds. So it might shock you to learn that between 2014 and 2019, Natural England issued licences to kill more than 6000* Brent Geese while they overwintered around our coast. The primary explanation, given by England's nature watchdog for this potential mass slaughter, is that the bird causes 'serious damage to crops, vegetable or fruit', although the Wildlife Trusts tell us that these small geese feed "mainly on Eel-grass and seaweed on sandy estuaries and saltmarshes." The agency approved the shooting of the birds in various coastal locations across the country, including Kent, Lincolnshire and Essex. 6000* protected, amber listed geese, a species of conservation concern - and yet Natural England deemed it acceptable to approve their mass slaughter while they spent their winter in our country. Figure could be even higher The figures come from freedom of information data provided by Natural England themselves, though their figures are so muddled, confused and disorganised that the number of geese killed could potentially be higher. In addition, among the hundreds of licences issued for the species are some examples which don't even specify a number. So it's anybody's guess as to how many geese were permitted to be killed under those individual licences. Licensing system is an utter shambles... Based on the data that they themselves provide, Natural England's licensing is clearly an utter shambles and the agency should be thoroughly ashamed of the system that it relies upon, which is very obviously not fit for purpose. I challenge the agency to take a look at its own statistics and defend the use of a database that is misleading, confused and chaotic. Just another sorry statistic from Natural England's notorious kill list. I've been revealing the extent of Natural England's horrific bird slaughter since I obtained official figures earlier in the year. As more and more truly terrifying statistics come to light, we can see the scale of the killing. No wonder we are seeing fewer birds in this once wildlife-rich country. Natural England smugly ignore growing public protest Our petition calling for a complete overhaul of the agency is approaching 350,000 signatures, yet Natural England seems to be smugly ignoring the public outcry over its actions. My attempts to engage with them have been slow and frustrating. I think they are hoping I just get fed up and disappear. I won't. I will continue to reveal more shocking data in the coming weeks to alert the public to this appalling national disgrace. Perhaps then Natural England will acknowledge the voices of ever more people who are demanding that this failing organisation responds to the widespread questioning of its activities. Natural England have a stark choice to make: listen to us - or be ready to face an increasingly tenacious public backlash.
64 Comments
Caroline Crozier
14/7/2019 08:07:16 pm
Why are they destroying such wonderful birds.
Reply
Alan Booth
14/7/2019 08:54:02 pm
What on earth is Natural England thinking. Oh they're not thinking. A vile distruction of more beautiful birds. Get rid of Natural England there's nothing natural about them. Heartbreaking!!
Reply
Tim Burke
15/7/2019 11:34:57 am
Natural England comes under DEFRA (think what FRA stands for, and the interests of the people involved and the politicians many of them vote for). Things may get worse when lip service is no longer paid to the EU directives.
Wendy Nicolaou
14/7/2019 10:33:31 pm
It seems the right hand doesnt know what the left is doing. There is no reason for their decisions they are just giving licenses for slaughters without any consideration for the birds or the comments and signatures of the people who care about this. Sack the lot and get noddy in to run it. A better job would be done!!!!
Reply
Sharyn Gaul
14/7/2019 11:05:11 pm
I continue to be horrified by the amount of birds that are mercilessly slaughtered by those with a piece of paper giving them permission by Natural England to do so. This is outrageous and sickening to say the least and totally unacceptable. This information is not given freely to the general public because if it were it wouldn’t happen as there would be an outcry. We must stop this mass murder without question.Natural England needs to come clean to the public . We the public must encourage change.
Reply
15/7/2019 02:46:44 am
Why are people killing these beautiful birds, who are so intelligent? I have two babies in my garden, they are so beautiful.
caro
15/7/2019 12:13:27 am
How can they justify this - are people paying to shoot them and someone's making money out of it? Is it to protect crops?
Reply
15/7/2019 04:21:37 am
I would love to get news letters and any petitions you may have, that's if you do.
Reply
A.C.Early
15/7/2019 11:52:07 am
Absolutely disgusting and heartbreaking to see the unnecessary destruction of wildlife, It is time for the government to appoint responsible and sensible officers to deal with such matters.
Reply
Karen stevens
15/7/2019 01:27:54 pm
exactly and why are such birds as seagulls protected !! mindless and senseless
Reply
Joyce williams
14/7/2019 08:09:12 pm
What are the RSPB doing while all this is happening? It’s a disgrace natural England should not be in charge of Anything !!!!!
Reply
Tony Johnson
14/7/2019 08:11:59 pm
This is similar to the culling of listed barnacle geese on Islay through SNH. over the past 10 years of culling they have been averaging 2000 to 3000 per season.
Reply
14/7/2019 08:12:15 pm
So how are you campaigning to stop this vile action - and what are you organising, to support actions ?
Reply
14/7/2019 10:18:18 pm
Brian Jason is just a writer and wildlife activist supporter. Your comments seem to suggest he have powers to organise protests and actions to stop this atrocities.
Reply
trev
14/7/2019 08:17:01 pm
What the..? Who the hell is running Natural England, Attila the Hun? Could it possibly be the Tory government to blame? Sooner we get Labour back in the better!
Reply
Barry Jones
14/7/2019 08:24:49 pm
Can’t we read something without someone dragging politics into it
Reply
MRS ELISABETH SWAINSON
14/7/2019 11:13:46 pm
Well as far as I know NE is a goverment qango so no suprise there
Stephen McConnell
14/7/2019 09:40:25 pm
What the hell has it got to do with Labour. Take your pathetic politics elsewhere please.
Reply
trev
14/7/2019 09:59:59 pm
Tories traditionally side with landowners whereas the reverse can be said of the Labour party, also it was Labour who banned foxhunting whilst the Tories are slaughtering Badgers. Labour are much more ethical in general and Jeremy Corbyn is a vegetarian. If you care about the environment don't vote Tory ("get rid of all this Green crap" - David Cameron). If you care about animal welfare don't vote Tory, either vote Green or Labour. Those are the facts of the matter, hence the relevance of my original comment. Sorry if that upsets a few Tories out there among you.
Stephen Welch
14/7/2019 11:27:59 pm
I disgree, we should not be blind to the political agendas behind all this, look for example at the Environmental Audit Committee's comments on government intentions to downgrade environmental protections: https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/environmental-audit-committee/news-parliament-2017/draft-environment-bill-report-publication-17-19/
Stephen Welch
14/7/2019 11:35:20 pm
To clarify - I disagree with Stephen, whose message I was replying to, not Trev, whose own answer preceded mine...
Rowan Adams
14/7/2019 10:19:04 pm
He's gone now, I believe, but back in 2013 a Conservative Party donor with no knowledge of nature conservation was put in charge of Natural England.
Reply
14/7/2019 08:18:36 pm
Its time this Natural England was retired and broken up and a competent organisation used to replace it.
Reply
Rowan Adams
14/7/2019 10:21:24 pm
No - Natural England can change, especially now that Tony Juniper is in charge. We need a national body responsible for overseeing conservation - we just need Natural England to be there for wildlife instead of doing the bidding of rich landowners.
Reply
Geoff Halpin
14/7/2019 08:22:21 pm
I Find it hard To Understand that " Natural England " Would Give The OK To Kill Birds That Do No Real Harm To Our Country ? As they Are Not OURS ! Natural England should be Spending Time Ensuring OUR Birds Are Looked After HERE and Those That Breed Here are Allowed To Go On Their Winter Trip Unhindered and Safe ! Do Not Forget You Are ONLY Civil SERVANTS ! And That Could Be Changed For The BETTER ! WE have To Show unlike Other Peoples Of This World WE ARE HUMANS ! AND WE CARE !
Reply
Linda Smith
14/7/2019 08:24:43 pm
In all the years I've been living in Norfolk I have only seen them on North Norfolk coast and on marshland. Never seen them in fields of veg. This is absolutely horrendous and will create an even bigger drop in numbers.
Reply
Maggs R
14/7/2019 08:38:26 pm
I signed this petition in error!
Reply
joe cafferyhi
14/7/2019 08:38:42 pm
Hi,
Reply
Theodora Vonesch
15/7/2019 06:53:49 pm
More people aught to be made aware of this shameful act of destruction of wild birds. There can be no justification for this.
Reply
Bill
14/7/2019 08:39:34 pm
This story is on Bbc Countryfile as we speak.
Reply
Jim Low
14/7/2019 08:56:22 pm
Let's not have the pretence that the majority of farmers and landed estates are interested in protecting songbirds and lapwings. The culling of crows is primarily about protecting grouse (for shooting parties to kill) and livestock. If farmers were genuinely interested in wildlife (and some are) then they would look after hedgerows/dykes and leave plenty of uncultivated land for the birds and other creatures,
Reply
Barry Jones
14/7/2019 09:37:02 pm
And let's stop pretending that corvids don't need controlling. 14/7/2019 10:29:32 pm
Sorry Bill but what do you think livestock farmers do with their little lambs and calves? Lambs bred for food sell them at market before they've even finished being fed by mum and calves are dehorned and branded likewise. Dairy farmers do the same to MALE calves who are normally taken from the mother at a few days old, once she has started giving milk and shot because they have no use for them. The only time a crow will peck the eyes from a young lamb is if they are already dead, no self respecting mum would stand there and watch while a bird pecked out its eyes.
Reply
Irene Leggett
14/7/2019 11:35:49 pm
I totally agree with this comment. I have witnessed lambs of various ages and size, drowned in dykes on the nearby marshes where I used to horse ride. They had obviously been in the dykes for several days/weeks and were just left to rot, as you said, the farmers couldn't be bothered to check them. The marshes are actually on RSPB land and a local fox hunt frequently 'hunts' on this land. A couple of years ago, the hunt in question, 'accidentally' killed SIX foxes that had 'crossed the drag trail' If you believe that, you'll believe anything.
Stephen Welch
14/7/2019 11:33:14 pm
>> who have had their eyes eaten
Reply
Andrew S Hillis
14/7/2019 08:42:39 pm
Please publish fully the reasons why this is happening. I would like to know the full story not just part. Thank you.
Reply
Ellie Matthews
14/7/2019 08:59:57 pm
If they have to cull anything please can it be pigeons and seagulls, not these brave geese that travel all the way here to get slaughtered. So sad....
Reply
Rowan Adams
14/7/2019 10:23:16 pm
Seagulls are mostly amber listed or even red listed as well. Please don't have a go at gulls.
Reply
William Wilson
14/7/2019 09:15:24 pm
Just another example of how Natural England and their Scottish counterparts legitimise their ‘Buddies’ in the Shooting industry.
Reply
Rita Pirouet
14/7/2019 09:22:03 pm
Why is there such an outcry when migrating birds are being shot while flying over Malta, when the birds that do make it over here, like the beautiful Brent Goose, who only come over here to spend the winter, are also being shot? Why aren't the RSPB doing anything about this national disgrace? What is the point of joining the RSPB if they stand back and let it happen? And just what happens to all the dead geese?
Reply
Rita Pirouet
14/7/2019 09:27:31 pm
Thanks William, now I know what happens to all the geese. I also thank you for the comments about the slaughter house and the lack of compassion for the animals. How will our birds ever survive our mentality? Its shameful.
Reply
Marcia McGrail
15/7/2019 11:17:51 pm
The rspb is yet another example of a toothless talkshop, more interested in feathering their corporate nests than championing the (increasingly not so) common or garden birds.
Reply
14/7/2019 09:33:36 pm
Who on earth gave these morons license to decide the fate of animals just living. I say start a campaign to scrap Natural England - it is a covert political party for food makers and farmers
Reply
Heather Fairgrieve
14/7/2019 09:52:04 pm
I can understand the reason behind the shoot BUT not the logic of having to kill so many of these wonderful birds They have fought the odds to enter Great Britain?? only to be killed at the end of their long arduous journey There is no sport in this let them breed in peace and rare their fledglings for soon they will leave our shores and head once again to their native Country
Reply
Rowan Adams
14/7/2019 10:36:18 pm
No - you've fallen into the trap. Just like the government deliberately undermining the National Helath Service so that their favourite newspapers will then feed people som eguff about how it has to be privatised for its own good (all lies of course).
Reply
Polly Parker
14/7/2019 09:46:41 pm
I once contacted the RSPB because a Canada goose that had been hatched on our pond suffered from Angel Wing. It couldn’t fly when the rest of the family left. They refused to help because it was not a native bird. Caerphilly Bird Rescue did. That goose was placed with a lot of others on the moat at Caerphilly castle . The last I heard, it was still there, years later. I will never support the RSPB because of that incident.
Reply
Rowan Adams
14/7/2019 10:40:03 pm
That was just one incident. The RSPB has a lot of members and therefore more money than many other charities but they haven't got infinite money and they have to draw the line somewhere.
Reply
Kathleen Danby
14/7/2019 09:51:32 pm
I am appalled that an organisation that calls itself NATURAL England is behaving in such an unnatural way. What is "natural" about slaughtering every species they can, and eventually leaving all our birds so depletenoug of them to breed.
Reply
David
14/7/2019 09:58:57 pm
Keep up the good work Jason. This is shocking news to read. It is doubtful that NE are going to change their licensing procedures though without changes to the law, and that won't happen with getting an MP on board to vigorously campaign for change and to pull the strings based on all of the fantastic work that you're doing. Are there any MPs that you've engaged on this that are champions of the environment?
Reply
Ralph Frost
14/7/2019 10:20:35 pm
There has to be a fundamental change of priorities.
Reply
Gillian
14/7/2019 10:28:11 pm
A huge number of song birds are massacred across Europe leading to a hue drop in numbers of endangered species just so some people can pretend that they are hunters. Is Natural England any better by hiding behind licences? Is there any scientific research to back any of their claims? Or is this a case of allowing people determined to kill something to do so "legally"? Without any kind of basis of fact these licences cannot be continued to be issued until there is some kind of reason for a kill. In fact, with the loss of some 70% of all insects in Europe, the killing of these birds may well become unsustainable as the numbers of many species will drop as they die of starvation due to loss of food through the food chain.
Reply
Rowan Adams
14/7/2019 10:28:19 pm
Here are the red, amber, and green lists of 'birds of conservation concern' from the British Trust for Ornithology:
Reply
Rowan Adams
14/7/2019 10:53:47 pm
Tony Juniper is now chair of Natural England.
Reply
Debbie Kimble
14/7/2019 10:54:49 pm
Time to get MPs involved in this, Natural England might just start listening to what we're saying but I'm not holding my breath. Either they shape up or they go....their choice, I'm sick and tired of their piss take it's way beyond a joke
Reply
Susan McCanti
14/7/2019 11:20:49 pm
Why don't we let these decision???makers run around and shoot them instead. What we are doing to nature and animals is criminal.
Reply
Debbie foster
14/7/2019 11:34:04 pm
Apalling behaviour. Our planet is in crisis due to overpopulation of himans and THIS happens.
Reply
I wholeheartedly supported Jason’s petition. I also echo the comment from Rowan that under the relatively new (Feb 2019) leadership of Tony Juniper (ex WWF and a self-declared ‘Green’) a more objective stance is likely to be taken in favour of wildlife. Further to that, I also see from this Government (NE?) website …
Reply
John Noble
15/7/2019 10:50:00 am
Somebody considers them to not fit in with their plan so the only answer with wildlife is, rub it out.
Reply
John Noble
15/7/2019 05:14:20 pm
"that the old licences in this domain were withdrawn and new ones put in place on 14 June 2019"
Reply
15/7/2019 10:18:31 am
Who are these people at Natural England they should be ashamed of themselves. Monstrous.
Reply
Debbie Macmillan
15/7/2019 06:47:07 pm
Sickened and distressed at the terrible culls being done by Natural England giving permission for hunters to shoot hundreds of birds. I can only see this as a money making scheme as there is no good reason for killing these birds at all. I wish there was a way of fining Natural England or getting them taken to court as they are definitely not genuine in any way! :(
Reply
Pamela Allen
15/7/2019 07:03:52 pm
My understanding is Micheal Gove is all For licences to kill, indeed it was he who over ruled a Judicial decision this year which the BBC presenter and wildlife Organisation had won to withdraw licences to kill...
Reply
Joyce Green
17/7/2019 10:53:21 pm
Shame on you Natural England!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
If you appreciate what I write about, please consider showing your support by buying me a virtual coffee!
Click the button below! Thanks :) Archives
July 2023
|