DEFRA General Licence Consultation

[Frank-the-Wool]

In their infinite wisdom DEFRA have decided to do at very short notice a Consultation on General Licences.
The closing date for responses is Monday.
It is extremely important as many people as possible reply to this or I can see they will say that farmers were not bothered and Chris Packham and Mark Avery get their way.

There is an explanation on the DEFRA website and an email address to send responses too.

 

[bitwrx]

In their infinite wisdom DEFRA have decided to do at very short notice a Consultation on General Licences.
The closing date for responses is Monday.
It is extremely important as many people as possible reply to this or I can see they will say that farmers were not bothered and Chris Packham and Mark Avery get their way.

There is an explanation on the DEFRA website and an email address to send responses too.

Well spotted @Frank-the-Wool.
Just had a quick review of the detailed guidance. Seems fairly straightforward. As with all these things, it's best to couch any responses in their terms.

 

[fudge]

https://www.gov.uk/government/consu...ent-of-certain-wild-birds-a-call-for-evidence

 

[bitwrx]

OK, so it is straightforward, but I'm up to 800 words and I'm still answering the first question. A proper response is defo not a 2-minute job!

 

[Dry Rot]

I hope one (or several) of the representative bodies (BASC, NFU, NSA, etc) will offer guidance on the submission of evidence as I'd hate to think of bored civil servants having to trawl through long dissertation why we need to control crows etc. and coming to the wrong conclusions or missing the point completely. The time scale for completion of the "survey" (2 - 3 days over a weekend) is interesting.

 

[Frank-the-Wool]

I hope one (or several) of the representative bodies (BASC, NFU, NSA, etc) will offer guidance on the submission of evidence as I'd hate to think of bored civil servants having to trawl through long dissertation why we need to control crows etc. and coming to the wrong conclusions or missing the point completely. The time scale for completion of the "survey" (2 - 3 days over a weekend) is interesting.

The NFU have put out a format for responses on their Members website.
Unfortunately it didn't work, but it does give a logical way of replying. They are also looking for anyone who has pictures of the effects of attacks on livestock etc.

I do not think sending in very long missives on this issue will be constructive.
Short and sweet will be better.

 

[DrWazzock]

DEFRA are asking why we need a general licence! Says it all.
Why do bears need to sh!t in the woods?

 

[bitwrx]

DEFRA are asking for answers to four very specific questions:

For the purpose of resolving the immediate issues resulting from the withdrawal of GL04, GL05 and GL06 we are interested in receiving evidence about the following, in particular:

1) Your views on the alternatives to killing or taking a specific bird species for:

• Conserving flora and fauna
• Preserving public health or safety
• Preventing serious damage or disease (serious damage relates to serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber fisheries or inland waters) In particular, what are these alternatives and to which bird species do they relate? In your experience or evidence, how effective and practicable are they?

2) Your experience or evidence of any benefits that were delivered by the three revoked general licences?

3) Your experience or evidence of any problems with or caused by the three revoked general licences. Are there any conditions, in your view, that could be attached to general licences to address these issues?

4) Your experience or evidence of any problems caused by the revocation of the three revoked general licences.

For my response, the only answer which can be short and sweet is to question 3. Problems caused by the GLs? None.

ETA: I have pictures of the effects on livestock taken this very week. Two partially eviscerated piglets, found alive, with identical wounds on their back, as well as belly. We actually had to chase the crow away from one of them...

 

[ollie989898]

Absolute twittery of the highest order and we are paying for this bilge.

What monkey does not appreciate how birds damage crops??

All these government bodies are staffed by muppets with no clue.

 

[bitwrx]

It's not that they don't appreciate the damage birds can do (although until I'd seen it this week, I'd always doubted whether a crow could actually _take_ a live piglet), it's that they want to know what the potential alternatives are.

The basis of the legal challenge to the GLs was that killing/taking was not being shown to be the only practicable measure - more of a first resort, than a last resort. This conflicted with legislation that took precedence.

In this consultation we have to show them what we are already doing other than shooting, and why it doesn't work.

Surely we can see that any legislation that goes through without consultation is open to challenge. We need to get on this consultation to make sure our views are heard.

Read Defra's questions. Answer them. Concentrate on what the alternatives are, and why they don't work in your context.

 

[yellow belly]

If pigeons are not shot at to kill within a year they will be impossible to scare away

 

[Try to succeed]

Has anyone got an example of what they have sent in to the cunsultation? I’m away at the mo but plan on doing this when back in the country but I fear I might have to reign myself in from writing an angry essay...

 

[Rod Dumbreck]

I sent this along, I was going to concoct a better version, but someone announced we had some lambs out, so I just pressed send! Obviously it will get ignored as it doesn't deal with any alternative control measures!


Dear Sirs
Last week we were alerted by a neighbour that one of our sheep was, in her words “sick” We went straight away to the field and found the ewe was cast, (on her back, unable to right herself) and was being attacked by two crows. She has lost one eye and there is some damage to her anus and vulva, but we have treated her and she is recovering.
I have attached a photograph.
The welfare of our livestock is our absolute priority and we have no quarrel with the wildlife which abounds here, but if we have to go through some elaborate process in order to control what is probably one or a few errant individuals who could be selectively shot, then it seems we must just scare away everything. Most people I have spoken with about this fall to the view that it would be ineffective.

 

[Dry Rot]

Has anyone got an example of what they have sent in to the cunsultation? I’m away at the mo but plan on doing this when back in the country but I fear I might have to reign myself in from writing an angry essay...

Quote from DEFRA: "The closing date is 5pm Monday on 13 May 2019".

Which begs the question, why only 3 days and at the weekend? Anyone would think they are looking for a limited and biased response! Surely not?

 

[Pilatus]

Easy for me to say this,and rather unpleasant for some to see, but a short clip of video on an IPhone would make really good evidence. I suggest the afore mentioned to prove to certain environmentalists that the pictures are not fakes.

 

[primmiemoo]

Send them Ted Hughes's poem, Ravens.

 

[ollie989898]

Put video evidence on youtube.

 

[Pilatus]

Put video evidence on youtube.

How does on get that video to the attention of the general public and DEFRA staff ? Especially on a weekend

 

[B'o'B]

2 hours 30mis left to get your responses in.

 

[Try to succeed]

2 hours 30mis left to get your responses in.

Currently writing mine whilst I should be spraying...