Conor O'Gorman
Well-Known Member
Defra consultation on a 2021 gamebird releasing general licence for European protected sites
Defra is consulting on a proposed interim 2021 general licence for the release of common pheasants and red-legged partridges on Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and within a 500m buffer zone around them in England. The consultation ends on 15 March.Background Information
The consultation follows a Defra-led review into gamebird release, part of this review included an independent report which was jointly commissioned by BASC and Natural England.As the review was underway, Wild Justice claimed the Government was in breach of the law by allowing the release of gamebirds on European Protected Sites (SACs and SPAs) if they had not conducted assessments to show that there would be no risk of damage to protected sites.
Wild Justice unsuccessfully asked the Environment Secretary to halt the release of pheasants and red-leg partridges on these sites and surrounding land within 5km. They issued a legal challenge which was halted following the Environment Secretary’s proposal to introduce an interim licensing regime whilst additional information is gathered, and assessments made.
BASC has called the interim licensing proposal ‘unnecessary’ and ‘over precautionary’ for those who shoot in or within 500m of the protected sites listed.
The Consultation
Subject to the consultation process Defra intend to amend the law for a fixed term of three years. This will mean during this period a licence to release of pheasants and red legged partridges on and within 500m of a number European protected sites would be required.They intend the process to be a general licence, such as is used to control certain bird species. This means the user will not need to apply for a licence but will have to abide by the conditions within the licence.
It is proposed that the general licence would include conditions relating to stocking density within release pens.
In addition, the proposal stipulates a level of recording will be required for those using the general licence. For anyone who wants to ‘act’ outside of the general licence on these sites there will be provision to apply for an individual licence. Release outside of these areas will remain unaffected by this proposal.
Defra intend to introduce the interim general licensing process for the 2021 season. The consultation is already behind schedule, as the period for gamebird release in 2021 is fast approaching. BASC has already made representation with Defra to withdraw the process until next year.
BASC action
Following representation from BASC and other shooting organisations the proposal has been focused predominantly on the use of general licences. Only in a small number of cases will an individual licences have to be applied for.BASC has together with other shooting organisations been lobbying Defra and we continue to make it clear that this proposal risks disrupting legal shooting.
BASC is currently undertaking a detailed review of the consultation prior to responding and taking the necessary action.
Once our consultation response is finalised in the coming days, BASC will be asking those impacted by the decision, especially those who shoot on protected areas, to respond.
For the latest updates see:
Gamebird releasing consultation - BASC
Gamebird releasing consultation Defra consultation on a 2021 gamebird releasing general licence for European protected sites Defra is consulting on a proposed interim 2021 general licence for the release of common pheasants and red-legged partridges on Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and...
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