MPs have gathered to discuss an apparent seagull problem which has seen the birds terrorising Britain.
Footage from the debate may at first leave you rather baffled as to why it’s being discussed, but injured pensioners and illegal use of firearms make it actually quite a serious issue.
Conservative MP Oliver Colvile told the congregation he was led to apply for the debate after a friend had a chip stolen by a seagull – a story which was met with a cry of “schoolboy error” by one of his fellows.
However, the MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport later spoke of injuries sustained by a pensioner attacked by one of the many gulls, leaving her with a “huge and bloody cut” on her head – suggesting the issue is a matter of public health and safety.
Another MP, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, told those gathered at the debate that vigilantes have been “wandering the streets” with guns and launching their own seagull culls in her constituency of Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Elsewhere, shadow environment minister Sue Hayman claimed seagulls have become so aggressive in some parts that postmen and women were unable to deliver the mail. Meanwhile SNP MP Kirsty Blackman of Aberdeen North said her constituency is home to giant seagulls that can terrorise the community.
“The Aberdeen seagull is the size of a large dog, it is absolutely ginormous, and it regularly gets mentioned,” said Blackman.
Colvile has warned the matter will get worse later this year after breeding season in the spring and by May, “eggs will be hatching and the gulls become even more aggressive as they seek to protect their young”.
“As we head into the summer, we could very well see gull wars on our high streets,” asserted Colvile.
Environment Minister Therese Coffey said the Government has commissioned research to look into contraceptives for gulls, and said there are no plans to change the legal protection given to them.
“The current legislation provides sufficient powers to take appropriate action to tackle problems caused by gulls and provides a range of methods that those authorised can use to manage birds humanely,” said Coffey – who added while these gulls are “clever folk” she is confident the “menace” can be defeated.
