BASC says a potential legal challenge by Wild Justice over one of the newly-issued Natural England general licences is a ‘distraction’ and focus should remain on introducing a new set of workable licences.
The association will review this latest challenge to the general licence for the control of carrion crow for livestock damage issued by Natural England last month and consider if any further action is necessary.
Steve Bloomfield, BASC’s executive director of shooting and operations, said BASC’s focus would remain on ensuring that Environment Secretary Michael Gove issues new, workable general licences as soon as possible.
“This is an unnecessary distraction and doesn’t particularly help anyone, least of all those who live and work in the countryside,” he said. “Defra is continuing to draft new general licences for England, and our focus remains on ensuring progress.”
“We appreciate how frustrating these ongoing delays are for everyone but BASC and other organisations are working hard to ensure progress is being made towards a workable interim licensing system that is fit for purpose until a wider review takes place at the end of the summer.”