Bath MP Don Foster has vowed to continue lobbying the government over controlling urban gulls, following the disappointing response in his adjournment debate on Thursday.

Don said, “While clearly the main focus of the government should be dealing with the financial crisis, it does not mean that they should be ignoring other issues.

The government claims that adequate research already exists, but the problem is getting worse, so that quite simply cannot be true. Attempting to control gulls is costing councils thousands of pounds, and currently this is money down the drain.

“I will collate further evidence that proves research is necessary, and write to the Minister. Urban gulls are a major issue in towns and cities up and down the country, and it is time the government took this issue seriously.”

Here in Bath & North East Somerset we are left to our own devices to deal with urban gulls, there is no government advice on what works. We are pleased that Don raised this issue in parliament and that he will continue to tackle this issue.

We face a major problem if the Herring Gull becomes protected, as it is nigh-on impossible to differentiate them from black-backed gulls. We might have to stop almost all the work we are doing.