Organisations call on Michael Gove to make key changes to general licence system

BASC is one of nine leading organisations that have written a joint letter asking environment secretary Michael Gove to instigate a number of key changes to the general licensing system.

BASC chairman Peter Glenser QC is among signatories from the countryside, farming and shooting communities that have asked Michael Gove to consider a number of recommendations for resolving the current general licence chaos.

The letter highlights that all the organisations have submitted evidence to Defra’s current review and says the replacement licences recently issued by Natural England are not fit for purpose.

Mr Glenser said: “We have thanked the Secretary of State for taking control of the general licence chaos while also explaining that Natural England’s reaction to the initial legal challenge by Wild Justice was disproportionate, inappropriate and damaging to the environment and countryside.

“We also say that every day lost to the ongoing crisis sees more gamebirds, wildlife, crops and livestock damaged by these very common problematic birds.

“We trust and hope that the (Defra) review will reverse the gold plating and mission creep that has led to the current chaos and produce simple, workable licences covering all species and purposes previously included.”