Quarry species review verdict overdue as Defra misses its own date

The outcome of the quarry species review, the first full review of the bird quarry lists in 45 years, is overdue after Defra missed its own 10 August publication date. Nothing had been published on gov.uk by the morning of 13 August, leaving shooters in England, Wales and Scotland waiting on the fate of nine species.

What is the quarry species review?

Defra, working with the Welsh and Scottish governments, opened the consultation on proposed changes to the bird quarry lists on 23 March and closed it on 17 May. It is the first full review in 45 years of which birds may legally be shot, and when.

At least 10,000 responses were submitted. The department’s own consultation page gave 10 August as the date the results were expected. That date passed on Monday with no announcement, and none had followed by 13 August.

Which species would the changes affect?

The proposals cover eight species currently on the quarry lists, plus one addition. Pochard would be removed in England, Wales and Scotland, and the European white-fronted goose in England and Wales. Goldeneye would be removed in England and Wales with a shortened season in Scotland, while pintail would be removed in England and have its season shortened in Wales and Scotland.

Snipe would keep a shortened season in England and Scotland and be removed from the Welsh list, woodcock would see its season shortened in all three nations, and coot and golden plover would be removed in Wales. Woodpigeon would be added to the quarry lists, making recreational woodpigeon shooting lawful for the first time since the early 1990s.

What has the shooting sector said?

BASC campaigned against what it called unnecessary and unevidenced restrictions, challenging the quality of Defra’s evidence and the proportionality of the recommendations. It recommended that ministers endorse its sustainable shooting code of practice rather than impose statutory bans or shortened seasons.

The association also used its sustainable shooting framework to propose 24 additions to the quarry lists, among them woodpigeon, Egyptian goose, raven, cormorant and both parakeet species. The European Federation for Hunting and Conservation backed its position in an open letter to the Secretary of State.

What happens next?

Defra has not said when the outcome will now be published, and no new date appears on the consultation page. BASC says it remains in contact with the department and the devolved administrations in Wales and Scotland to discuss its recommendations and the evidence behind them.

Any decision will need to give shooters clear notice of changes before the affected seasons open, and every further day of delay shortens that notice. Shooting Times will report the decision, and the sector’s reaction, as soon as it lands.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the quarry species review outcome due?

Defra’s consultation page gave 10 August 2026 as the date the results were expected. That date has passed with nothing published, and the department has not yet given a new one.

Which birds could be removed from the quarry lists?

The proposals would remove pochard in England, Wales and Scotland, the European white-fronted goose and goldeneye in England and Wales, pintail in England, and snipe, coot and golden plover in Wales, with shortened seasons for several species elsewhere, including woodcock in all three nations.

Would woodpigeon return to the quarry list?

Yes, if the proposal is confirmed. The consultation proposed adding woodpigeon to the quarry lists in England, Wales and Scotland, which would make recreational woodpigeon shooting lawful for the first time since the early 1990s.