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Natural Resources Wales is reviewing its licencing position after its English counterpart introduced an abrupt temporary ban on shooting birds such as crows and pigeons.

Farmers and field sports groups reacted angrily to news that Natural England was revoking three general licences from today (April 25).

These enable the discretionary control of 16 bird species, such including jackdaws, magpies, Canada Goose and some gulls.

Natural England expects to issue new licences over the next few weeks, starting from April 29.

In the meantime, to avoid prosecution, English farmers can apply to the regulator for an individual licence.

The temporary ban follows a legal challenge to the way the permits are issued by new environmental group, Wild Justice, created by conservationists Mark Avery, Ruth Tingay and Chris Packham .

Mr Packham’s front gate was vandalised overnight and two dead corvids hung up by their necks.

A petition started by farmers in the wake of Natural England's decision, calling for Mr Packham to be sacked from the BBC , has quickly amassed 80,000 signatures.

This was my gate this morning (it was vandalised) @HantsPolice & lawyers have been informed . So @BASCnews @NFUtweets @CAupdates @FarmersWeekly @Gameandwildlife @NaturalEngland can I ask you to comment on whether you condone this . Serious request - replies expected . Please RT pic.twitter.com/8sVDyn4bSW — Chris Packham (@ChrisGPackham) April 25, 2019

The NFU claims the controls are “absolutely necessary” to protect crops, lambs and even other wildlife – especially at this time of year.

Shooting group BASC said it was “appalled” and will be seeking legal advice. It said the decision was already causing panic and chaos.

BASC chief executive Ian Bell said the ban had been suddenly sprung on the rural community and may cause some people to break the law unwittingly.

He likened the situation to “changing the speed limit tomorrow and putting a notice on the internet but with no new signs”.

The National Sheep Association (NSA) accused “animal rights extremists” of forcing through a ban that will cause animals to suffer.

Referring to Mark Avery and Chris Packham, NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: “It’s extremely disappointing to see people without a practical understanding of land management and livestock farming being able to frustrate things in this way.

“It is common for corvids to peck out and eat the eyes of sheep unable to defend themselves, take the tongues of new-born lambs so they cant suck, and even tear their stomachs out.”

(Image: Gareth Wyn Jones)

General licences were introduced in the 1990s to allow the legal control of bird species of low conservation concern to protect public health and safety, prevent serious damage and disease, and protect plants and wildlife.

Natural England revoked the three general licences after 1,100 online donors funded a legal challenge by Wild Justice.

The group, which was launched only in February, said the decision may have implications for in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – and it will be flagging this up with the respective regulators.

"Millions of birds are killed each year under the terms of the general licences and many of these deaths will not be justified," it said.

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Sarah Wood, biodiversity manager at Natural Resources Wales, said the organisation was aware of the licensing changes in England.

She added: “In balancing the needs of people and wildlife, we have a similar role to Natural England and we are currently considering our position.

“We continue working to improve our processes and permits, and strive to do this in partnership with others.”

Natural England’s interim chief executive Marian Spain admitted the changes will cause disruption.

But he stressed: “We are working hard to ensure it is kept to a minimum.”