A strategy to control the population of invasive species is being developed by the Ministry of Environment.

The plans follow legislation passed last month that extended powers to members of the public to destroy pest birds that threaten the livelihoods of endemic and native species, have a detrimental effect on the environment, agriculture, fisheries, or affect other human activity or public health or safety.

Environment Minister Jeanne Atherden told The Royal Gazette: “The Ministry is developing an Invasive Species Strategy, which will provide a strategic and holistic approach to the management of invasive species.

“Invasive plants and animals, after habitat destruction, are considered to be the single greatest threat to the loss of biodiversity on small islands.

“It is intended that the strategy will identify measures to better manage human-related issues associated with invasive species, such as dumping of unwanted pets and feeding of pest animals in public areas.”

The Protection of Birds Amendment Act 2015 added feral pigeons, which can carry salmonella, and feral chickens to a list of birds that can be lawfully destroyed.

The amendment also extended the power to destroy the birds, including crows, kiskadees, starlings and sparrows, to anyone authorised by the Environment Minister.

Members of the public can apply for a firearms licence through Conservation Services and then the Commissioner of Police to cull pest birds, and a number of people have approached the Department of Conservation Services about acquiring one. However the Ministry stressed that firearms would be the last course of action regarding the culing of pests.

No licenses have yet been issued because the application and licencing process is still being developed, as the amendments to the Act have only just been approved.

Asked whether the Department had a target number of pest birds it intended to cull and a timeline, Ms Atherden said: “Pest birds pose problems on a wide range of issues that have environmental, economic and social facets.

“Some species compete with native birds for nesting spots [for example, sparrows will kill baby bluebirds to take over a nest box], feral chickens damage commercial crops and are a source of noise nuisance, and crows have been identified as a major predator of Longtail eggs.

“Given the extent of the pest bird problem — the variety of species in question and the abundance of them — it is not practical to establish a timeline.

“The goal, therefore, is management rather than eradication.”