Licencing chaos at Natural England

The Countryside Alliance, along with the National Gamekeepers Organisation and Moorland Association, have joined forces to call on the Environment Secretary, George Eustice to bring the chaotic wildlife licencing system run by Natural England back into central Government where it can be made fit for purpose.

Along with our joint letter, we sent a paper which sets out the ongoing issues with regards to wildlife licencing in England. It outlines how, since Natural England became responsible for wildlife licencing, it has made pest control and wildlife conservation considerably more difficult. This has had significant animal welfare consequences, particularly for vulnerable species and livestock. As was made apparent by last year's fiasco, when three General Licences were revoked without warning, Natural England should not be responsible for wildlife licencing. This responsibility must be returned to central government.

There are ongoing concerns surrounding European Protected Sites - the habitat for rare wildlife in the greatest need of licensed protection. There also remain significant concerns over Individual Licences arriving late, sent to the wrong person, poorly drafted, and not including the ability to control some of the most damaging predators to wildlife, which are of course only growing in numbers as a result of being unmanaged. This has had significant animal welfare consequences and damage to businesses, as birthing ewes, lambs and other livestock have been left unprotected and consequently killed. Issues both with Gull Licences and Stoat Trapping Licences have resulted in similar devastation to wildlife. In short, the responsibility for wildlife licencing needs to come back to central government in order to ensure we have a licencing regime that enables the proper management of wildlife, and protects livelihoods and vulnerable species. You can read the paper, 'Wildlife Licencing in England: Chaos, Crisis and Cure', here.