A new pest control company has been launched which offers to pay farmers plagued by pigeons to use its services.

Crop Protection UK Ltd has been set up by three keen rough shooters and is recruiting farmers before it opens membership for shooters in April 2009.

The aim is to get 500 farms across the UK into the scheme in time for next season’s pigeon onslaught.

Director Steve Parkin says: “We believe there is a great opportunity to provide crop protection/rough shooting on a national basis.

“We pay farmers an annual fee for them to allow fully certified, licensed and fully-insured rough shooters to control pests on their land,” he says. “Shooters pay a small annual fee for the privilege of shooting pests on farms throughout the country.”

Mr Parkin says farmers will be paid around £500 a year, though more will be offered for especially large areas and to growers providing more days.

Each farmer will specify what they will allow on their land – including fields to be shot, the numbers of guns and dogs, the type of weapons (firearm certificate weapons are not permitted) and which pests to target. Details will be confirmed by the company.

Although pigeons will account for most of the business, rabbit, crows and other vermin are also included in the scheme.

Each shooter will carry a Crop Protection UK badge in their vehicle and a membership card.

The company will also offer a pest alert service which farmers can use when crops are being attacked, says Mr Parkin.

Shooters are governed by legal requirements and must follow strict rules promoting safe shooting while respecting the farmer’s land. “That’s essential and we are making it a core part of membership,” says Mr Parkin.

Farmers can find out more about the scheme by clicking here or calling 0844 561 0989.