Licensing shoots – is it coming?

It is nearly a month since the publication of the Government's Land Use Framework (Land Use Framework - GOV.UK) which contained the suggestion that Defra would explore the introduction of licensing  “..for recreational gamebird shooting and release”. This exploration will start with “..evidence gathering and any proposals will be subject to public consultation”.

If ever there was a polarising topic this is it. In the no (or expressing serious reservations) corner sit:

• The Countryside Alliance whose Chief Executive called it “a declaration of war on game shooting”.  
• BASC who warned that such a system risked undermining existing conservation efforts.
• The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust who whilst welcoming the move to higher standards, expressed concern that “ .. if applied in the wrong way, licensing could be used to significantly restrict or prohibit gamebird releasing to the detriment of wildlife, local communities and the wider countryside.”

In the other corner plenty of supporters are to be found with the RSPB probably the most recognized and mainstream. Its Chief Executive said:

“The case for licensing is based on the environmental impacts of some management practices associated with gamebird shoots. Chief amongst these is the illegal persecution of birds of prey but other impacts include avian flu risks to wild birds associated with large-scale gamebirds releases, and the burning of heather over peatland for intensive grouse shoot management.”

Perhaps the correct measure of success of a licensing system would be that it leaves all sides unhappy - the supporters that it doesn't go far enough and the opponents that it goes too far (or exists at all). Whether Government can find such an unhappy middle ground we must wait to see. As yet there is no timetable for the first step on Defra's proposal which is the evidence gathering.

If ever there was a polarising topic this is it

https://www.countryside-alliance.org/features/tim-bonner-the-governments-full-frontal-war-on-the-countryside