* Exclusive:-
* Natural England halts licensing for Black-headed gull eggs over sustainability concerns. * Thousands of eggs had been traditionally sold each spring through 'fine dining' establishments. * Decision to halt 'abhorrent' trade in Hampshire will secure the survival of thousands of amber-listed gulls. Natural England has confirmed to me today that they will not be issuing any licences for the collection of Black-headed gull eggs this year in Hampshire, the primary area that has traditionally been at the centre of the controversial activity. Each Spring, the eggs of this amber listed species are collected in their thousands to supply the fine dining trade, under licences issued by Natural England. But following an evidence review last year, together with pressure from our campaign, it has been decided that the activity was 'no longer sustainable' in the county and that damage to protected areas could not be ruled out, should it continue. Off The Menu Hampshire has long been the focus of the abhorrent trade in amber-listed gull eggs, with the county supplying the bulk of eggs to high end restaurants and gourmet grocery stores across the UK. This latest development means that they should be off most menus, for the time being at least. Previous licence holders will retain their right to apply for the licences in future but Natural England told me that applications will be assessed annually to reflect the latest evidence. Yorkshire Licences Remain In Place, For Now Licences for the taking of gull eggs are still currently issued, in very limited numbers, to individuals in North Yorkshire - the only other area where the practice has traditionally taken place - but the decision to stop all egg collecting in Hampshire will secure the survival of thousands of gulls. Appalling Trade Coming To An End? It finally looks like the appalling trade in gull eggs for human consumption might be coming to an end but we must keep up the pressure and keep a close watch on the Yorkshire licences that still remain in place for now.... I hope that this anachronistic practice will soon be a thing of the past. A huge success for our campaign, and for common sense. Thank you everyone. p.s. I've been told that the full licensing data will now be published on the gov.uk website on 30th March, a little later than expected.
22 Comments
Charles David Foulstone
25/3/2022 04:45:36 pm
Something else that I was unaware of, shows what can be going off under your nose if you don't get involved!
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Although it may to many a suprise. As my politics are not in line with most people on this subject. BUT I TOTALLY AGREE AND SUPPORT THIS MATTER. THE COLLECTION OF GULL EGGS MUST CEASE IMMEDIATLEY. WHERE DO I COME FROM ON THIS?! WEll AS A BIRD WATCH ALL MY LIFE, I CANNOT LET MY FEATHERED AND BEAUTIFUL FRIENDS DOWN NOW ON THIS OCCASION. GOOD LUCK WITH YOU FUTURE ACTIVITIES!!!!!!!
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Sally Lort Phillips
26/3/2022 08:16:49 pm
In the past gulls eggs were collected at a sustainable amount to balance the progress of other nesting birds on Skomer for instance. Since the collection of eggs has been ‘frowned on’ for many years now ,we have noticed many fewer kittiwakes etc than fifty years ago.
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Keith Dancey
27/3/2022 09:07:52 pm
That has nothing whatsoever to do with Black-headed gulls, though, has it?
Ronald Teague
25/3/2022 04:47:09 pm
Well done Jason without you nobody would know what natural England are up to
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Stephanie Wrightson
25/3/2022 04:57:35 pm
I’m shocked that Yorkshire has not been included in this. Why are our beautiful gulls to be harassed and deprived of their eggs? Yorkshire is a dreadful place for persecuting wildlife as it is. Birds of prey are constantly killed with no repercussions for those guilty. Now it’s gulls eggs. Nothing is safe here.
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Diana Shelley
25/3/2022 05:15:29 pm
Well done, Jason, that's a significant victory.
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Simon George Spratt
25/3/2022 05:16:12 pm
Well at least z as SOME birds have been spared from the chop!! Thank God for small mercies!!
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Edward Barratt
25/3/2022 05:22:04 pm
Many thanks for the update, it looks to be great news but I just hope that this doesn't lead to an illegal trade/market
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Sharon Dawn Smithen
25/3/2022 05:26:09 pm
Great news. Respect to you Jason for highlighting the secretive bird culling etc. As you say...still a lot of work to do to protect our wonderful bird population.
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Jennie Allen
25/3/2022 05:29:29 pm
Thank you so much for all your energy and steadfastness in keeping up the pressure.
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Glenda King
25/3/2022 05:58:32 pm
I grew up in Hampshire in the 60s/70s, and had never heard of the ‘traditional’ practice of collecting gulls eggs before now. It certainly never featured in any of the many countryside fairs my family visited! Thank goodness such an abhorrent practice has been stopped, and well done Jason.
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Julie Taylor
25/3/2022 06:02:43 pm
Well that is welcome news! Gull eggs are up there with foie gras ... practices that really need to be completely consigned to history.
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Dorothy Norman
25/3/2022 06:19:39 pm
Well done Jason, a really good result for the black headed gulls. All your hard work is paying off at last. Many thanks
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Charmian Goldwyn
25/3/2022 06:20:56 pm
Thank you so much Jason. I admire your persistence and hard work.
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25/3/2022 09:02:28 pm
Well done Jason! I have written to both Natural England and DEFRA and didn't even get an acknowledgment, I haven't got your clout it would seem! Have to say it never ceases to horrify me that some people will eat just about anything without an ounce of conscience. It sickens me so much I won't watch any of the multitude of foody programms on the TV. The sooner some human beings develop compassion the better.
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Richard C
26/3/2022 09:21:26 am
Another line of attack on this would have been to identify which restaurants or gourmet shops were selling gulls eggs and dealing with them directly. Naming and shaming would be a start ...eating establishments rely on reputation...but a few invasions would probably have really concentrated minds. If the demand is destroyed so will the point of collecting them.
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Jan Morris
26/3/2022 10:02:50 am
Well done Jason and thank you for all you have done and are still doing to protect our feathered friends. You're a hero and therefore an endangered species yourself! Good luck with your campaign work.
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Glenn Fletcher
26/3/2022 01:08:28 pm
Well done Jason - your success shows how important 'citizen action' can be. We clearly cannot rely on government bodies to do the right thing. Like others I was astonished that this theft go birds eggs was legal. Keep up the good work
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Alan Leckie
26/3/2022 04:44:51 pm
I watched an ADVChina video recently and the two presenters (South African Winston and American C-Milk) reported that during their travels in China they never saw any birds (except perhaps in a wet market). How sad is that? The world needs more Jason Endfields!
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Elisabeth Thornton
26/3/2022 05:05:47 pm
Thank you Jason on behalf of us all. Keep up the good work.
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Glenda Smeed
28/3/2022 01:41:48 pm
Thanku so much Jason. Well done! What would we do without you. It's wonderful that you highlight these things for us folk. We would never know otherwise.
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