Songbirds to suffer as NE changes licensing policy

Applications to control avian pests for the conservation of blackbirds and other species are to be refused, sparking possible legal challenge

- Matt Cross

Shooting may be preparing to launch a legal offensive of its own after Natural England announced it would refuse to allow common predators such as crows and magpies to be controlled to protect songbirds.

In a letter to stakeholders, the agency announced that it would refuse all licence applications to control pest birds for the conservation of common songbirds such as blackbirds and chaffinches. The protection of red-listed birds remains covered by the general licences.