The Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources says the ministry has not ruled out allowing the shooting of swans to protect crops.
Geese and swans, both of which are plentiful in Iceland, are often times considered a pest by farmers. These birds are prone to eating crops and grain, doing significant damage to farms.
Vísir now reports that Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson told parliament that his office is taking the matter seriously, and is considering all possible options.
MP Haraldur Benediktsson of the Independence Party raised the question of how to deal with bird-induced crop damage in parliament today. The minister said that a number of measures could be taken to ward off geese and swans from farmlands, including the use of “deterrent measures” or a limited hunting license. He added that educating farmers on how to protect their crops would also be key.
Swans are protected from hunting by Icelandic law. The minister did not say what, if any, quota there might be for swan hunting.
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