Bog complaint goes to Europe

The RSPB has submitted a formal complaint to the European Commission over Natural England?s dealings with a West Yorkshire grouse shooting estate.

The bird charity says it believes that environmental protection legislation has been contravened at the Walshaw Moor estate, regarding a protected area of blanket bog.

Natural England announced in March that it was dropping all legal proceedings against the estate, after both parties agreed a new management regime.

RSPB chief executive Mike Clarke said: ?Natural England has dropped its prosecution without giving an adequate explanation and without securingrestoration of this habitat. It has also entered into a management arrangement which has fundamental flaws.

The rest of this article appears in the 24th October issue of Shooting Times.

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