The amendments to general
licences follow a public consultation which received over 700 responses
Scottish rural groups have
criticised moves to further restrict the use of general licences by saying it
'poses a threat to wildlife conservation efforts'.
Eleven species of birds,
including rooks, great black-backed gulls and collared doves will have stronger
protection from April 1, as they will be removed from general licences.
In six weeks’ time, the renewed
licence rules mean those seeking to control birds not included on the updated
list will be legally required to apply for a licence.
The announcement, made by
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) on Friday 7 February, means land managers will
have to apply specifically for prior approval from SNH’s licensing team to
control certain birds on Special Protection Areas.
General licences allow certain
birds to be killed without the need to apply for individual licences - for
example, to prevent serious damage to crops, to protect public health and to
help prevent predation of other, at-risk bird species.
The amendments to general
licences follow a public consultation which received over 700 responses.
It comes as an additional SNH
review shows that while many wild bird populations are in a healthy condition,
a range of pressures, including climate change, means others have decreased,
and are in need of greater protection.
The licence review also concluded
that the control of greylag geese, a species already listed on the licence,
should be extended to year-round control, to help minimise widespread
agricultural damage to grass pasture and emerging crops.
