EC BIRDS DIRECTIVE - PEST SPECIES

That this House notes with deep concern the Government's intention to bow to European Community pressure demanding amendments to United Kingdom legislation, concerning pest birds; notes that this concerns the necessity for general licences for the killing and taking of the 13 pest species, including crows, magpies and woodpigeons, and which cause serious damage to property, crops and livestock as well as to the eggs and nests of song and game birds; and urges the Government to bring pressure to bear on the European Commission and Council to amend the European Community Birds Directive to permit the killing and taking of the 13 pest species throughout the year in the United Kingdom as at present.