Update: DAERA delays again on Consultation on General Licences…
Back in December, Wild Justice were successful in a legal challenge to Northern Ireland’s general licences for the killing of wild birds.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) conceded that their general licences were flawed and unlawful. At the time they said they’d replace them with interim licences, and reassured us that a full public consultation would be launched in due course.
Initially we were told the consultation would begin in early February. Early February came and went. Following some prodding, DAERA then promised the consultation would happen sometime between late February and early March – but definitely no later than March 7 2022.
March 7 has now passed. Yesterday, we heard from DAERA that they’re aiming for the consultation to go public on 21 March 2022. The reason given for multiple delays was a vague one; “Officials are awaiting final clearance from the Minister.”
Will we see the consultation appear on the 21st? We will wait and find out, and of course keep you updated as we go…