Natural England have revoked the general licence which allowed the killing of "pest" birds such as woodpigeons, crows and jays, after a legal challenge from an environmental group called Wild Justice, created by conservationists Mark Avery, Ruth Tingay and Chris Packham.
The licence was issued under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and permitted killing certain birds to prevent serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, land, as well as to prevent the spread of disease.
The environmental campaigners have argued that this licence allowed for "decades of unlawful bird-killing", however, some farmers, land managers and conservationists say that the revocation of this licence came at the worst possible time for protecting crops, livestock and wildlife, where a flock of pigeons could decimate a farmer's field of crops, or crows preying on ground-nesting birds.
Currently, Natural England plans to introduce a legal system of separate licences which would allow controlling 16 species of birds, including rooks, magpies, Canada geese and some non-native species. But the system is not ready yet, which could cause certain issues.
Mark Avery said Wild Justice's challenge only sought to halt the general licence from next year, which would give farmers and landowners more time to apply for individual licences. According to the National Farmers' Union, Natural England will issue interim measures to allow temporary control of the 16 species of birds from 29 April before its wider review.
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