A study on the economic and ecological importance of bats to farmers, found the loss of bat species in North America could lead to agricultural losses in the region of US $3.7bn each year. Bats are known to provide a ‘pest control’ service worth £649m per year globally on corn crops alone. In this enlightening blog, Annie Hatt argues that bats should be seen as pest controllers rather than pests. 

Ecosulis tree climbers climb over 90 trees in Preston, Lancashire, undertaking a climb and inspect bat survey. 

Natural England is looking to planning a new development bat licence. The Bat Low Impact Licence is designed to simplify the licensing of certain bat projects. The licence would streamline licence applications for schemes that have a low impact on bat roosts. Savings to developers during the initial trial are estimated to be over £180,000 and 444 weeks saved in possible delays to development.

The process of getting a bat licence to undertake roost visits and disturb or handle bats for conservation or ecological consultancy purposes, has recently been altered to ensure greater clarity between licence types and the introduction of a class system.