BASC responds to bird quarry review

First, a massive thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to Defra’s recent consultation on proposed changes to the bird quarry lists in England, Wales and Scotland – the first full review in 45 years (News, 8 April). At least 10,000 people had their say – hopefully that’s a conservative estimate – and we’ll find out more in August.

The public consultation ran from 23 March to 17 May, with BASC encouraging people to respond by opposing a proposed ban or reduced shooting season for eight bird quarry species and supporting the addition of woodpigeon and some other species to the quarry lists.

To recap, the main proposals being consulted on were as follows:

Pochard: remove from quarry list in England, Wales and Scotland.

European white-fronted goose: remove from quarry list in England and Wales; no change for Scotland.

Goldeneye: remove from quarry list in England and Wales; shorten open season
in Scotland.

Pintail: remove from quarry list in England; shorten open season in Wales and Scotland.

Snipe: shorten open season in England and Scotland; remove from quarry list in Wales.

Woodcock: shorten open season in England, Wales and Scotland.

Coot: no change in England and Scotland; remove from quarry list in Wales.

Golden plover: no change in England and Scotland; remove from quarry list in Wales.

Woodpigeon: add to quarry list in England, Wales and Scotland.

Other species: invitation for suggestions
on adding species to the quarry lists.

In a detailed evidence-led response, BASC recommended that Defra (for England) and the Welsh and Scottish governments endorse BASC’s sustainable shooting code of practice rather than pursuing unnecessary and unevidenced restrictions.

We used an extensive evidence base to inform the creation of BASC’s sustainable shooting framework and subsequent sustainable shooting code. That data was updated and analysed against the evidence provided within the consultation.

BASC council’s wildfowling liaison committee played a key role in the development of our framework, code and response to the consultation. The European Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FACE) supported our position in an open letter to the secretary of state.

We challenged the quality of Defra’s evidence and its interpretation, and the proportionality of the recommendations. We provided evidence of how self-regulation through our code of practice provided a better long-term mechanism for the management of sustainable shooting, rather than imposing statutory bans or reduced shooting seasons.

Additionally, BASC created and used its sustainable shooting framework to justify a list of 24 species for inclusion on the quarry lists in England, Wales and Scotland.

BASC recommended adding these 24 bird species (top right) to the quarry lists in England, Wales and Scotland for wildlife management and/or the harvest of wild food.

1. Brent goose
2. Carrion crow
3. Common gull
4. Common scoter
5. Cormorant
6. Egyptian goose
7. Goosander
8. Great black-backed gull
9. Herring gull
10. Jackdaw
11. Jay
12. Lesser black-backed gull
13. Magpie
14. Mandarin duck
15. Monk parakeet
16. Raven
17. Red-breasted merganser
18. Red-crested pochard
19. Rook
20. Rose-ringed parakeet
21. Ruddy duck
22. Starling
23. Stock dove
24. Woodpigeon

What happens next?

The outcome of the consultation will be announced on 10 August. Meanwhile, as a key stakeholder, BASC is in contact with Defra and the devolved administrations in Wales and Scotland to discuss its recommendations and the evidence underpinning them.

Widespread support and uptake of BASC’s sustainable shooting code (scan left) is key to our self-regulation argument. Ahead of the shooting season please read it, adopt and implement actions where relevant, and share it with others.

Dr Conor O’Gorman is BASC’s head of policy and campaigns. He has over 25 years of experience in conservation and land management and a keen interest in wild grey partridges. Contact him at: conor.ogorman@basc.org.uk