Natural England’s licensing system undermined by NGO research

The fight against Natural England’s gamebird licensing system has been bolstered by new research commissioned by the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation.

The NGO, alongside BASC, recently highlighted on national television the plight of shoots operating around Special Protection Areas. Many have been refused licences to release gamebirds due to Natural England’s bird flu transmission concerns, prompting BASC to request a judicial review.

The challenge now has scientific backing that reveals a potential contradiction in Natural England’s approach. Research compiled by GWCT analysed 24 studies examining what happens when game and predator management ceases. The findings show that protected species within SPAs suffer dramatic population crashes when these activities stop.

Is Natural England protecting vulnerable species?

This suggests that by refusing gamebird release licences, Natural England may be acting against the interests of the very species it aims to protect.

Tim Weston, the NGO’s public affairs director, told Shooting Times the report “underscores the critical role of game management not only in supporting gamebird populations, but in safeguarding the wider biodiversity of our Special Protection Areas”.

He warned that removing game management “risks undermining decades of conservation progress and jeopardising the Government’s ability to meet its legally binding biodiversity targets”.

The research provides ammunition for ongoing legal challenges as the shooting community argues that current licensing restrictions are counterproductive to conservation goals.

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