Britain’s army of coarse anglers are going to have to stump up another £ 1 for their rod licences, the Environment Agency confirmed today.
The so-called “middle of the road” option takes the adult licence fee up to £ 21. Pensioners and disabled rods will only be asked to pay an extra 50p, taking their licence up to £ 10.50. Junior licences for over-12s remain pegged at £ 5.
EA head of fisheries David Clarke said: “We put a series of options before the regional committee in August and they came back with a £ 1 to £ 2 suggestion for the standard licence.
“But because licence sales picked up during the late summer and autumn following the foot-and-mouth disease crisis, we have gone for the £ 1 increase on the full adult. I can announce there will be no cuts to services or staff as we originally forecast, if this figure was accepted.”
Current rod licences expire on March 31 and renewals may be obtained by direct debit before February 10. Details from the Environment Agency Rod Licence Centre (01925 653999).
