Written question asked by Alan Hurst (Labour) on Wednesday, 8 September 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 1 November 2004. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Monday, 1 November 2004 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 assessment she has made of the effects of magpies on the populations of song-birds in urban areas and the fringes of urban areas. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effects of magpies on the populations of song-birds in urban areas and the fringes of urban areas. [188547] Mr. Bradshaw: The Magpie is known to take songbirds although the available evidence suggests that this does not have a significant adverse effect on their population levels. Defra issues a general licence allowing year round control of Magpies, and a small number of other species, to conserve wild birds. This licence may be used by authorised persons only and the landowners' permission must be obtained. This licence is among a number of general licences relating to birds that is currently the subject of a consultation exercise. There is no evidence to suggest that Magpies or birds of prey have played a major role in the declines of songbirds. The population status of songbird and farmland bird species is monitored and Defra is aware of declines in certain species. By contrast a Mammal Society survey suggests that 275 million wild animals (including birds) are killed each year by Britain's estimated 8 million cats.

Secondary information