Take a long, hard look at your rod licence card – it’s the last one you’re going to get for the foreseeable future.
The Environment Agency have announced that, from the end of May 2024, anglers will no longer have the option to receive a plastic-coated rod licence card with illustrations.
It’s said that removing the licence cards will save the EA £230k, which they’ll invest directly into fisheries.
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Anglers will now have a choice between receiving a rod licence via email, text, or A4 letter.
Whilst the decision makes financial sense for the EA as well as creating less waste, it’ll no doubt sadden a chunk of the fishing community, to whom the iconic cards became part of their identity as anglers.
"We understand the popularity of the images on our rod licence cards and want to thank David Miller for his unique and inspirational illustrations over the years,” says Heidi Stone, Fisheries Partnerships Manager at the EA.
“As we look to deliver better value for money for anglers, we are changing our printing arrangements to print our licences in a more cost effective and environmentally friendly way.
“The money saved will mean even more of our rod licence income can be put back into our fisheries service, protecting and improving fish stocks and habitats, providing new facilities for anglers, and giving more people the opportunity to try fishing,” she added.
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