NGO: 'Sense on Hooded Crows'

30 December 2011

The National Gamekeepers' Organisation (NGO) has welcomed the intervention today of Agriculture Minister, Jim Paice MP, to stop Natural England removing hooded crows from the English General Licences at just a few days notice.

"Common sense has prevailed," said an NGO spokesman, although he added that it was a pity the NGO and others had to go right to the top to get a practical outcome for pest controllers.

The General Licences for 2012 will now be issued with the position on crows unaltered from previous years. This has always been taken by the shooting organisations as meaning that hooded crows may be controlled where necessary to protect wildlife, although there is some doubt on the matter because the licences list 'crow' without being specific.

"The current wording is confusing and we accept that it needs clarification in due course. What we did not accept was Natural England's arbitrary decision to 'clarify' the matter in one direction by removing hooded crows at no notice and without proper consultation." said the NGO.

"We understand there will now be a formal consultation on the issue in 2012, during which we will argue that hooded crows should be listed on the licences. They are a pest where they occur in the north of England and gamekeepers and others should be allowed to control them. For the time being our advice is that those needing to control crows can carry on as before."

The NGO had been in direct contact with the Agriculture Minister on this matter since NE's intentions became clear and the organisation learned on Christmas Eve that the Minister was likely to intervene to prevent the inevitable confusion arising from a last-minute change. An email sent today from his office has confirmed the above position.