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Budget sets aside £250k to tackle seagulls
seagull
Funding will be used for research on the birds' aggressive behaviour in towns and cities.

Urban seagulls accused of terrorising towns and cities

A quarter of a million pounds has been set aside by the government to tackle urban seagulls - accused of being a menace to society due to their aggressive, food-stealing ways.

George Osbourne set aside the funding in the 2015 pre-election budget, which was published last week.

It will be used for research on the birds' aggressive behaviour in British towns and cities, informing authorities on the best way to control urban populations.

It is thought there are more than 250,000 breeding pairs of the most common seagull species, according to a report by Defra's chief scientist.

Prime Minister David Cameron told Western Morning News: "In my distant past I remember some seagulls taking the ham out of a sandwich. But I haven't held that against the entire seagull population since."

The news has been welcomed by campaigners including Don Foster MP, who hosted a "seagull summit" in 2012.

"For several years people in Bath have been contacting me about this issue and asking for action. Urban gulls cause mess, noise and damage to property, and are very aggressive in the nesting season. 

"There is not enough data to enable a strategic approach to the problem, and I have long been pressing for funding to be given so that progress can be made."

Image © Jon Sullivan/public-domain-image

 

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.