Non-native species consultation closes

Schedule 9 of the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act lists non-native species that are already established in the wild, but pose a conservation threat to native habitats.

DEFRA’s consultation questions whether releases of non-native species should be further regulated.

The consultation also includes proposals to ban the sale of some non-native species.

Concern over the proposals was raised last November, with fears over future restrictions being placed on the release of game. The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation told Shooting Times its response was robust on the need to retain the release of green pheasants and their hybrids.

It supported the proposed ban on releasing wild boar and questioned whether banning the release of ferrets and goshawks might create legal problems for fieldsports supporters.

The rest of this article appears in 31 January issue of Shooting Times.

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