RSPB gives mixed message on shooting

Having recently attended the RSPB’s virtual AGM, Conor O’Gorman discusses the outcome of the charity’s year-long review of game bird shooting

- BASC'S CONOR O'GORMAN

As an RSPB member, I dialled into its virtual AGM this year on 10 October, awaiting news of the outcome of the charity’s consultation on game bird shooting. RSPB’s council had already signed off the policy changes that were going to be announced at the AGM, but there was no advance news of what would be announced. In a highly unusual information vacuum, all eyes really were on the AGM for first sight of the direction of travel.

As RSPB chairman Kevin Cox began to read out his statement live on screen, I was wondering whether the overview was going to be emotive and combative or whether the message would be rational and evidenced-based. In the end, it was a very mixed message. A series of demands and deadlines were issued without much clarity or evidence around the alleged negative environmental impact of shooting.