MP slams ‘senseless’ GL45 ruling on moor 

Danny Kruger MP has called on the Government to take back control over General Licences after a “senseless” decision to ban shooting on Salisbury Plain. 

In previous years, the licensing authority for gamebird releases has been Defra, but this process is now managed by Natural England. Across the country, licences are not being granted, and in Salisbury Plain all shoots are likely to be denied a licence for the 2025 season. This has huge implications for the local economy and community, and for the environment. 

Earlier this month Mr Kruger, Conservative MP for East Wiltshire, which covers the largest area of Salisbury Plain, met local shoot owners and BASC to discuss their fears. All agreed Defra needed to step in and take back control of the licensing process. 

“Labour’s attack on rural communities continues with a senseless ban on shooting on Salisbury Plain this summer,” said Mr Kruger. “The Government has handed over the power to issue release licences to Natural England – the quango captured by the anti-shooting lobby – and NE has decided pheasants could infect rare birds, such as the stone-curlew, with avian influenza. 

“There is no evidence of this happening – but conclusive evidence that rare birds are protected by gamekeepers who keep down the predators that eat ground-nesting birds. 

“If this ban goes ahead, shoots will go bust, gamekeepers will be laid off and the stone-curlew on Salisbury Plan will be driven extinct. If Defra really cared about rare birds it would take back control from Natural England and allow the military shoots – charitable projects supporting our Army families and the local community – to carry on their vital work of looking after this precious habitat.” 

Salisbury Plain is among more than 80 Special Protection Areas (SPAs) that have had their GL45 licences withheld in 2025. The area is also among 67 other SPAs that have been deemed “highly unlikely” to be permitted a licence for the coming season. Earlier this year, Natural England stated the reason for withholding GL45 was due to the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) risk level. 

A BASC spokesman told Shooting Times: “BASC is very pleased that Danny Kruger MP took the time to talk to us and local shoot directors about the problems being created as a result of the approach being taken by Natural England. We believe this approach is fundamentally unjust and poses a significant risk to the future of many shoots.”