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.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
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.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
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
Roe, rucks and new ground
Jon Snowdon and his team have much to keep them busy and a new tool to help them
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
Fox rot about Charlie
Patrick Hook responds to claims that fox numbers are dangerously on the wane
The sniff of success
Join Ryan Kay as he navigates the fascinating dynamic between a handler and their canine companion
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
The problem: Inflammation in the nervous system
Vet's advice
Gundogs Q&A
No problem goes unsolved as Sporting Gun puts your questions to the gundog experts
Stop-start!
Fran Ardley continues her training tips on disciplining your dog to the stop whistle and the exercises you need to do
Gundogs at the Game Fair
Organising the Game Fair's prestigious gundog competitions: behind-the-scenes with Francesca Prentice