Daera issues three new wild bird control general licences

Three new general licences have been issued for wild bird control by farmers, pest controllers and gamekeepers in Northern Ireland, following an eleventh-hour decision by the country’s agriculture ministry.

The Countryside Alliance has welcomed an urgent extension to general licences in Northern Ireland, but is concerned that they are valid only until 31 December 2022.

It had raised serious concerns that the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) had failed to grant extensions to important licences for the lethal control of bird species, such as carrion crows and pigeons.

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This came at a particularly sensitive time with crops needing protecting from pigeons, and dozens of red-listed species need protection from corvids such as crows.  

General licences permit authorised persons – including farmers, pest controllers and gamekeepers – to carry out activities such as pest control covering certain types of birds, including magpies and crows, to preserve public health or air safety, and prevent the spread of disease. 

They also cover situations that are regarded as relatively commonplace such as protecting livestock from predators and where there is unlikely to be any great conservation impact. 

General licences avoid the need for people to apply for individual licences for these specific circumstances, preventing any bureaucratic delays.

Licences ‘vital’

Gary McCartney, director of the Countryside Alliance in Northern Ireland, said: “The ability of those involved in farming, as well as pest controllers, gamekeepers and land managers, to control certain species in the interest of human, livestock and wildlife safety under general licences is vital to the smooth running of the countryside.

“While we welcome the latest update that these licences will be extended until the 31 December 2022, we urge Daera to ensure a situation like this never arises again.

“Rural workers and those involved in pest control cannot afford to be weighed down by unnecessary, complex bureaucracy.

“We will seek assurances that these general licences will be renewed again, well within time and with all interested stakeholders updated fully in advance.”