Farmers condemn dead crows hung outside Packham’s home

Dead crows have been hung outside the home of Chris Packham after he supported a legal challenge to restrict farmers shooting “pest” birds, such as woodpigeons and crows.

The BBC Springwatch presenter posted a picture of two dead crows hanging from his front gate in Hampshire, saying he had contacted police and his lawyers.

This was my gate this morning (it was vandalised) @HantsPolice & lawyers have been informed . So @BASCnews @NFUtweets @CAupdates @FarmersWeekly @Gameandwildlife @NaturalEngland can I ask you to comment on whether you condone this . Serious request – replies expected . Please RT pic.twitter.com/8sVDyn4bSW

— Chris Packham (@ChrisGPackham) April 25, 2019

It comes after Natural England announced it had revoked the general licence and farmers, gamekeepers and pest controllers would now have to apply individually to shoot 16 species of birds.

See also: General licence to shoot woodpigeons to be revoked

Crows were included on the list, a species that regularly pecks out the eyes of lambs.

“I’m not going to be intimidated,” Packham told the Guardian. “People like me with Asperger’s are not affected by this sort of thing. It doesn’t weaken our resolve.”

Industry condemnation

Farmers and industry organisations condemned the actions of whoever hung the crows from Mr Packham’s gate.

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) tweeted: “We absolutely condemn such behaviour @ChrisPackham.

“We are clear – there is no place for illegality in the countryside.

“Will you also condemn the illegal behaviour of those who target legitimate rural businesses, such as those who release pheasants from game farms?”

Natural England also tweeted: “Hello @ChrisGPackham – of course we don’t condone this type of behaviour, it’s never justified no matter how strongly people feel about an issue.”

We can all kick off at ministers and celebrities on social media,yes i tend to over egg the pudding and land myself in hot water. However i saw the photo of the dead crows on @ChrisGPackham gate this morning i totally agree with @julierobinson_ its totally the wrong thing to do

— Jono Dixon©️ (@sunkfarmer) April 25, 2019

Hampshire Police has confirmed it is investigating a report of criminal damage at a property in Marchwood, in the New Forest.

Mr Packham had successfully campaigned with the newly formed group Wild Justice for an end to the general licence, which allowed certain bird species to be shot if they are causing damage to property, crops or livestock, or health and safety issues.

On Friday (26 April), Natural England opened an online system for farmers, gamekeepers and pest controllers wanting to shoot pigeons, crows, magpies and other pest species to apply for individual licences.

Two petitions

A petition on the website Change.org, asking the BBC to sack Mr Packham, has attracted more than 100,000 signatures in 72 hours. “As an employee of the BBC, Chris Packham should remain impartial and keep his views and beliefs to himself,” says the petition.

An opposing petition on the environmental website 38 degrees, which was started three years ago and urges the BBC not to sack Mr Packham, has reached a similar number of signatures.

A Farmers Weekly poll which asks if the BBC should sack Mr Packham has received more than 75,000 votes, with more than two-thirds (71%) saying the BBC should keep employing him.

Meanwhile, on Thursday (25 April), zoologist, wildlife researcher and presenter Megan McCubbin also posted a picture of two dead crows hanging from her gate.

https://twitter.com/MeganMcCubbin/status/1121435194588848128