Thousands of seagulls to be culled in Britain
Thousands of seagulls are to be culled in Britain to decrease the risk of bird strikes to aircraft, despite protests from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
A high-court judge has dismissed claims that the government-sanctioned cull is unlawful.
The Environment Secretary sanctioned the cull in the Ribble Estuary on the Lancashire coast at the request of aerospace firm BAE Systems. Words and photo: PA.
BAE said a reduction in the population of lesser black-backed gulls and herring gulls was required because of fears over birds being sucked into the engines of jets using the airfield at its Warton site.
The RSPB has argued that the culling sets a dangerous precedent for bird conservation. David Forsdick QC, for the RSPB, said at a two-day hearing in London earlier this month: "As far as we are aware, this has never happened before in the UK and that is why the RSPB is so concerned to have the decision set aside."
He asked Mr Justice Mitting to order a rethink and said the culls threatened to undermine the conservation purposes of European directives for birds and habitats.
Mr Justice Mitting dismissed the RSPB's application for judicial review and ordered it to pay £10,000 in legal costs.
The populations of lesser black-backed gulls are in "substantial decline" across the UK and in need of protection, the RSPB argues.
A BAE Systems spokeswoman said the company was pleased with the ruling and that it would ensure safety in the area.
Related articles
Bird strike forces Easyjet plane to return to airport
Flesh-eating seagulls to be shot by police
Seagull steals pensioner's false teeth
