What form of predator control has the Welsh Government permitted in the restoration of curlew and golden plovers numbers in Snowdonia’s Blaen y Coed peatland?

Answered by Minister for Climate Change | Answered on 05/10/2021

The Welsh Government is very committed to tackling both the nature and climate emergencies and the subject is at the heart of decision making across government. This includes ensuring that our most precious habitats and species including the iconic Curlew and Golden Plover are given the chance to recover and thrive.

The Blaen Y Coed peatland restoration project is a RSPB led project working in collaboration with Natural Resources Wales, local farmers, the National Trust and the Snowdonia National Park Authority. I am uncertain whether the question refers to a specific predator, however, the control of certain predator species is permitted without the need for a licence. For those species which require a licence, it is the responsibility of Natural Resources Wales to assess applications and issue licences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.