Natural England has recently been appointed a new Chairman, Andrew Sells, and under his management Natural England has released a consultation paper proposing that Robin and Starling eggs and nests are a "health and safety hazard" to the public, and as such have changed the rules to allow their destruction by anyone, at anytime. These are rare birds, with dwindling populations and their consultation does little to shed light on what "hazards" they pose to the general public.

A little digging, however, finds that the real reason behind this consultation is not in the public's interest, or, more importantly, the natural habitat's interest at all. It is a money-making scheme by a top Tory donor - Andrew Sells. In 2011, he donated over £100,000 to the Tories, and has been rewarded by government ministers with the post he currently holds in Natural England, a post which he has no previous experience in (he's a Chartered accountant). So far, so corrupt, but why?

Sells is the founder of Linden homes, a property development business specializing in brownfield sites for residential housing. What is one of the biggest obstacles for developers of this kind? Robins and Starlings. 

All wild birds, their nests and young are protected throughout England and Wales by the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). It is illegal to kill, injure or take any wild bird, or damage or destroy the nest or eggs of breeding birds.

If nests, whether completed or in the process of being built, are found on site, any works with the potential to damage or destroy the nest, eggs or young birds, must stop until the birds have completed breeding.

Birds may nest on machinery or scaffolding and other temporary site structures. If this happens the equipment cannot be used until the birds have finished nesting and such areas may need to be sealed off to prevent disturbance.

Breaking the law can lead to fines of up to £5000 per offence and potential prison sentences of up to six months. Vehicles implicated in an offence can be compounded and both the company, and/or the individual(s) concerned, can be held liable.

Obviously, removing the protection of eggs and nests of nesting birds would save developers a lot of time and money.

And it just so happens that property developers are some of the Tory Party’s biggest donors. Please sign and distribute this petition if you agree that Andrew Sells should step aside in the wake of this exposure, and someone experienced in "Natural England" take his place to overturn this attempt to destroy Britain's history and its wildlife.

Thanks to Tom Pride for the original article, where all of this important information was gleaned. 

http://tompride.wordpress.com/2014/05/18/heres-the-real-reason-the-tories-are-allowing-the-destruction-of-robin-eggs-and-nests/