Menu
21/05/2014
High Court Rule Gull Cull Can Proceed
The High Court has ruled against the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB challenge of an application to cull 1100 lesser black-backed gulls).
BAE Systems had applied for permission to cull the birds in Lancashire, with the RSPB submitting its objection to the move.
However the High Court have dismissed the objection and given its approval for the cull to go ahead.
It is understood that the cull was proposed to reduce the risk of birds being sucked into jet engines at Warton airfield.
Responding the ruling the RSPB said in a statement on their website: "This judgment is deeply worrying as we believe it fundamentally misinterprets the law as it relates to protecting birds.
"It is important to stress that the dispute at the centre of this case is not about air safety – the RSPB fully accepts the risk exists and that the cull is necessary, this is about how the Government can sanction the killing of an additional 1100 lesser black-backed gulls without acknowledging the damaging impact of removing almost a fifth of the breeding population of a species on a protected site.
"The judge appears to condone the Government writing off part of why the Ribble Estuary is important for nature conservation without compensation measures and, as such, sets a deeply disturbing precedent for our most important sites for wildlife – we are urgently looking at our options to appeal this judgment."
(MH/CD)
BAE Systems had applied for permission to cull the birds in Lancashire, with the RSPB submitting its objection to the move.
However the High Court have dismissed the objection and given its approval for the cull to go ahead.
It is understood that the cull was proposed to reduce the risk of birds being sucked into jet engines at Warton airfield.
Responding the ruling the RSPB said in a statement on their website: "This judgment is deeply worrying as we believe it fundamentally misinterprets the law as it relates to protecting birds.
"It is important to stress that the dispute at the centre of this case is not about air safety – the RSPB fully accepts the risk exists and that the cull is necessary, this is about how the Government can sanction the killing of an additional 1100 lesser black-backed gulls without acknowledging the damaging impact of removing almost a fifth of the breeding population of a species on a protected site.
"The judge appears to condone the Government writing off part of why the Ribble Estuary is important for nature conservation without compensation measures and, as such, sets a deeply disturbing precedent for our most important sites for wildlife – we are urgently looking at our options to appeal this judgment."
(MH/CD)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
01 March 2005
Badger cull considered in plans to tackle bovine TB
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has warned that badgers could be culled in order to stop the spread of bovine tuberculosis (TB). Defra stressed that scientific, as well as other evidence, was "vital" to solving the problem.
Badger cull considered in plans to tackle bovine TB
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has warned that badgers could be culled in order to stop the spread of bovine tuberculosis (TB). Defra stressed that scientific, as well as other evidence, was "vital" to solving the problem.
22 September 2004
Action needed to reverse 'serious decline' of farmland birds
Conservationists have called for action following the "serious decline" of UK farmland birds on grassland farmed for dairy, beef and sheep.
Action needed to reverse 'serious decline' of farmland birds
Conservationists have called for action following the "serious decline" of UK farmland birds on grassland farmed for dairy, beef and sheep.
07 October 2005
Attenborough backs albatross campaign
Broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough has become the latest public figure to support a campaign to save the albatross. Sir David, vice president of the RSPB, announced his support for a scheme, organised by the RSPB and BirdLife International, which trains fishermen to use fishing techniques aimed at preventing seabird deaths.
Attenborough backs albatross campaign
Broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough has become the latest public figure to support a campaign to save the albatross. Sir David, vice president of the RSPB, announced his support for a scheme, organised by the RSPB and BirdLife International, which trains fishermen to use fishing techniques aimed at preventing seabird deaths.
22 August 2003
UK's rare bittern population sees 'dramatic' rise
One of the UK’s rarest birds – the bittern – has experienced its most dramatic annual population increase since 1997, when first started to recover from virtual extinction, according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
UK's rare bittern population sees 'dramatic' rise
One of the UK’s rarest birds – the bittern – has experienced its most dramatic annual population increase since 1997, when first started to recover from virtual extinction, according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
25 June 2012
Badger Trust Take Opposition of Cull To High Court
The Badger Trust will today address the high court in opposition to controversial government plans to kill thousands of badgers. The Trust will tell a judicial review that the action is neither legal nor scientifically justified.
Badger Trust Take Opposition of Cull To High Court
The Badger Trust will today address the high court in opposition to controversial government plans to kill thousands of badgers. The Trust will tell a judicial review that the action is neither legal nor scientifically justified.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
