The Environment. Food and Rural Affairs Committee will hold a
one-off evidence session on the recent decision to withdraw the
general licences for controlling wild birds.
The Committee has asked Defra Ministers and the interim chief
executive of Natural England, Marian Spain to appear before the
Committee to give evidence.
The decision by Natural England has resulted in a great deal of
concern and commentary. Last week, it was announced that the
function of issuing general licences will henceforth be exercised
solely by the Secretary of State.
The Committee has invited witnesses to appear on 21 May.
Questions will focus on the series of events that led to this
decision being taken, the handling of the media fallout, the
issuing and effectiveness of new general licences and the
subsequent action taken by the Secretary of State.
MP, the Chair of the
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, said:
“My Committee is keen to find out more about this controversial
decision and the events that led up to it.
“It is clear from the subsequent backlash that many members of
the farming community are deeply concerned by the move and
worried about the impact it may have on their livelihoods. We
feel it is our Committee’s duty to question why such a step was
taken and whether there are any alternative methods
available.
“We invited the Ministers and Natural England to give us a much
clearer picture of how they reached this decision and how they
plan to move forward given the fallout that has followed their
announcement.”
