The damage‐conservation interface illustrated by geese

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Abstract
Changes in legislation, in public attitudes and in shooting practices, both in Britain and overseas, have allowed populations of geese which winter in Britain to increase in numbers. Since 1960 the number of individuals in the seven populations that come into conflict with agriculture has increased almost fivefold.There are serious conflicts between geese and farmers in some localities, where damage is alleged to growing grass, cereals and high value cash crops. Despite extensive studies over 20 years, it has proved impossible to devise precise and cost‐effective methods of assessing the damage caused by geese and to provide a fair and workable system of compensationFarmers and their representatives are calling for a co‐ordinated cull to reduce population sizes substantially. There are, however, a number of political and practical problems in undertaking population control, except perhaps in the feral populations of GreylagAnser anserand Canada GeeseBranta canadensisin England.Proposals are put forward for each species, which take into account the international responsibility of each country to safeguard the populations of migratory birds, and which provide solutions to the local serious problems of farmers. These proposals involve the setting aside of land for geese, either by the creation and management of reserve areas or by making payments to farmers to tolerate the birds on their land.

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