The Moran Committee has learned that the RSPB has finally decided not to pursue a judicial review of the new policy regarding the control of cormorants announced by Defra Minister, Ben Bradshaw in September 2004. However, the RSPB have apparently stated their intention to use the new Freedom of Information Act to obtain details of all applications to shoot cormorants under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, and if there is any mistakes found in the process, they will take individual cases for judicial review.
Terry Mansbridge, Chairman of the National Association of Fisheries and Angling Consultatives and the Moran Bird Group says, “I find the alleged attitude of the RSPB disappointing and somewhat reminiscent of a petulant adolescent who has failed to get its own way. I would rather they continued to work with us to monitor the new procedures to try and ensure that the survival status of all species is protected.”
Paul Knight, Director of the Salmon and Trout Association comments, “The new rules are an attempt to give both fish and birds equal protection. The RSPB don’t appear to have grasped this fact and regrettably are adopting a very one-sided view.”
Martin Read of the National Association of Fisheries and Angling Consultatives (NAFAC) states, “The new rules are aimed at protecting fish and not culling cormorants. The RSPB continue to deliberately mis-interpret this. The suggestion of selecting individual cases would, in terms of bird protection, seem to be a complete waste of time and effort, particularly considering that the French, who supposedly work to the same rules as the UK, have reportedly granted in excess of 31,000 licences to shoot the birds. I find the RSPB’s whole attitude quite irresponsible.”
Grahame Madge, RSPB press officer comments
The RSPB is delighted that intense lobbying by the Society has succeeded in persuading Defra to revise its policies on the control of cormorants, announced last September.
Julian Hughes, the RSPB’s head of species conservation, said: “We’re still challenging the government over its policy on cormorant control, but we are celebrating some early victories.
“Significantly Defra has retreated from its initial outrageous objective to reduce the cormorant population. Additionally, some evidence of damage by cormorants to fish stocks is now required before licences to control birds will be issued.”
Buoyed up by its initial victories, the RSPB is now challenging the government ensure that killing up to 3000 cormorants a year will not threaten the bird’s status. Additionally, the RSPB wants to see the licensing system made more transparent so that licences to kill cormorants are not issued needlessly.
In view of Defra’s concessions, the RSPB has withdrawn its legal challenge.
Julian Hughes added: “Now that the immediate threat of legal action has passed, there is an opportunity to work with government and the angling bodies to ensure angling and cormorants both have a positive future.”
