Wild Justice makes its case
Sporting Gun|June 2020
Dr Mark Avery of the campaign group responds to a recent article in Sporting Gun and outlines why it is conducting a legal challenge about gamebird releases
Dr Mark Avery
Wild Justice makes its case

Wild Justice’s challenge of gamebird releases is a challenge to Defra and how the government fulfills its responsibilities for environmental protection. It is, of course, of interest to the shooting industry in its various manifestations, but at its heart is environmental protection.

All plans or projects that may affect sites designated under the Birds Directive or the Habitats Directive need to be assessed for their impacts. Our challenge to Defra is that it has never done this for gamebird releases, despite the obvious potential impacts of releasing nearly 60million non-native gamebirds into the countryside every year. Defra has already accepted that it should do better on this subject which is why it is — rather slowly, Wild Justice feels — carrying out some sort of a review at the moment.

Wild Justice doesn’t know the details of that review, so we can’t comment on it. Perhaps foolishly, Defra hasn’t involved us at all, so we will evaluate it when the review is completed and made public Wild Justice has already won the first part of our argument. The English authorities are looking at the question of impacts of gamebirds on nature conservation, as we said they must. Lest there be any doubt about the case for review — which is already accepted by Defra — we would refer all who shoot to this statement: “There are legitimate questions relating to the release of pheasants for shooting and impacts on habitats and wildlife.” To find that statement visit gwct.org.uk

Denne historien er fra June 2020-utgaven av Sporting Gun.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra June 2020-utgaven av Sporting Gun.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA SPORTING GUNSe alt
Thermal spectrum
Sporting Gun

Thermal spectrum

Paul Austin explores both ends of the thermal market with latest high-end release from Zeiss alongside a surprising entry-level offering from Xinfrared

time-read
6 mins  |
August 2023
Roe, rucks and new ground
Sporting Gun

Roe, rucks and new ground

Jon Snowdon and his team have much to keep them busy and a new tool to help them

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2023
Tales from a lifetime of foxing
Sporting Gun

Tales from a lifetime of foxing

Join Mike Powell as he explores the evolving world of fox shooting, drawing from a career that spans seven decades

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
Fox rot about Charlie
Sporting Gun

Fox rot about Charlie

Patrick Hook responds to claims that fox numbers are dangerously on the wane

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
The sniff of success
Sporting Gun

The sniff of success

Join Ryan Kay as he navigates the fascinating dynamic between a handler and their canine companion

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
Adventures of Nick & Ted
Sporting Gun

Adventures of Nick & Ted

A new chapter in the histories of Sporting Gun and Sporting Shooter has Nick Ridley reflecting on the dogs he has trained over the years he has been associated with the magazines

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
The problem: Inflammation in the nervous system
Sporting Gun

The problem: Inflammation in the nervous system

Vet's advice

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
Gundogs Q&A
Sporting Gun

Gundogs Q&A

No problem goes unsolved as Sporting Gun puts your questions to the gundog experts

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2023
Stop-start!
Sporting Gun

Stop-start!

Fran Ardley continues her training tips on disciplining your dog to the stop whistle and the exercises you need to do

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
Gundogs at the Game Fair
Sporting Gun

Gundogs at the Game Fair

Organising the Game Fair's prestigious gundog competitions: behind-the-scenes with Francesca Prentice

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2023