Britain's older anglers have reacted angrily to the Environment Agency’s plans to ditch rod licence cards, with some calling the move a ‘discrimination against the elderly’.
Last month it was announced that the plastic-coated licences would be scrapped in a move to save the EA £230k, as well as make their operations more ‘environmentally friendly’.
Licences will be issued in digital format only from May this year, with an A4 letter available for those without access to a smartphone.
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As expected, the plans have been met by a barrage of criticism, with a large number of readers contacting AT to voice concerns over the move.
The most impassioned came from Jerry Alderson, a GP from North Yorkshire in his late 50s.
He’s written to his local MP about the matter, and is urging others to do the same.
“This will push many older fishermen to give up their interest entirely, or to fish illegally, in my opinion,” he said.
“It’s discriminatory against older people, as well as those who don’t carry a smartphone everywhere.”
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Jerry is also unconvinced by the Agency’s claim that the move is eco-friendly.
“I contacted them to ask why they won’t issue a cardboard licence, as the National Trust do, but they said that cardboard isn’t as environmentally friendly as paper! What utter rubbish!
“This is greenwashing the issue to push the digital agenda and reduce staff input. I would happily pay more to receive a licence card than a huge paper letter, which is hardly convenient or durable on a wet, muddy riverbank.”
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