Written question asked by Ben Chapman (Labour) on Tuesday, 29 April 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 7 May 2003. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Wednesday, 7 May 2003 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what facilities are available for controlling wood pigeons. - Inc ref to copies of general licences on DEFRA website.

Answer: Mr. Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what facilities are available for controlling woodpigeons. [111085] Mr. Morley: The control of certain birds, including woodpigeons, is permitted under a series of general licences issued by my Department. This system, first introduced in 1992, offers a practical and easily understood method of control of certain bird species and ensures that birds are killed or taken by certain methods only, with the minimum of distress to the birds. Control of birds under the general licences has generally worked well, however a recent High Court judgment has illustrated that there may be areas where review of the general licences would be useful. Officials will consult stakeholders shortly and revise the licences where changes are considered necessary. Copies of the general licences can be found on the Defra website.

Secondary information