BASC settles GL43 legal challenge with government

BASC has settled a claim for a judicial review with the Government over Defra’s last-minute decision in 2023 not to reissue the General Licence (GL43), which allowed the release of gamebirds in certain areas of England. 

The claim has now been settled, following a commitment by Defra to a programme of meetings to ensure the sector’s voice is heard in future. 

Defra announced last week that a new general licence will be issued to allow the release of gamebirds on Special Protection Areas (News, 19 June). 

Caroline Bedell, BASC’s executive director of conservation, said: “Defra made its initial decision at the eleventh hour without warning or consulting with the sector — a decision that plunged the sector in England into turmoil and threatened the very existence of a number of shoots and the livelihoods of the gamekeepers affected. 

“While the parties have not been able to agree if Defra had a legal obligation to consult the sector, the formalisation of our increased engagement and involvement with Defra going forward should help ensure the GL43 debacle is not repeated