Whether any licences have ever been granted under section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for the purpose of controlling predat…

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 makes no specific provision for licences to control predators. Section 16 of the Act permits licences to be issued, in certain circumstances, for the purpose of conserving wild birds and wild animals and in order to prevent serious damage to livestock and fisheries.I wrote to the member on 22 July providing three tables showing licences granted by the Scottish Office and the Scottish Executive under section 16 since 1990. Cases involving predatory species, and the relevant section 16 purpose, can be determined from each table. Copies of the tables have also been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 16175). My answer to question S1W-16300 explained that comprehensive information is only readily available for the period since 1990.A summary of individual licences under section 16 issued in respect of predatory species between 1990 and 2000 is given. Figures for the 2000-01 season have not yet been fully compiled. | Licences | Number Killed | Purpose
Ravens | 142 | 710 | Preventing serious damage to livestock
Pine Martens | 5 | 0
Otters | 3 | 0 | Preventing serious damage to fisheries
Cormorants | 382 | 2,385
Mergansers | 1,780
Goosanders | 4,375
Herons | 21
Eider Ducks | 113
General licences under section 16 also permit the control of certain common bird species with predatory behaviour, such as crows, rooks, magpies, jackdaws, jays, greater and lesser black-backed gulls and herring gulls. Copies of all general licences have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.No licence is required for the control of mammalian predators such as foxes, weasels, stoats or mink, which are not included on Schedule 5 of the Act, provided legitimate methods of killing are employed.