In order to strengthen Defra’s evidence base on gamebird rearing, release and shooting in England, and building on the commitment made within the Land Use Framework and Animal Welfare Strategy, the Government has launched (Friday 4 September) a Call for Evidence.
To better understand both the potential benefits and adverse impacts, and to identify important gaps, uncertainties and adverse impacts, the Call for Evidence will consider the rearing of gamebirds, specifically pheasant, red-legged partridge and mallard, the release of reared birds from captivity, associated shooting and land management activities, and impacts at different scales including local, regional and national level in England. It has been stressed that no policy decisions have been taken at this stage on whether changes are needed, and that any future proposals would be subject to public consultation.
Defra is particularly interested in evidence relating to environmental impacts, including biodiversity, protected sites and habitats, animal health and disease risk, wildlife crime, housing and welfare of gamebirds and mallard during breeding and rearing prior to release, the use of natural resources, the effectiveness of current regulatory and voluntary approaches, relevant environmental or social impacts, and any ‘blockers’ for adoption. Separately, Defra is commissioning an independent assessment of the economic value of the gamebird sector.
The evidence being sought by Defra includes peer-reviewed research and published studies; official statistics, monitoring data and datasets; well-documented operational or practical experience; and information identifying gaps in the current evidence base. However, unpublished evidence, reports, working papers and other grey literature have been included with a high probability that these will contain figure and claims that are unverifiable and speculative such as those in the RSPB’s annual Birdcrime Reports.
Opponents to game shooting are fully expected to use the Call for Evidence as an opportunity to promote their anti-shooting agenda. This includes the RSPB, whose Chief Executive wrote to Defra Secretary of State in January expressing disappointment that licensing of shooting and gamebird release had not been included in the Government’s Animal Welfare Strategy. In that letter, she called for licensing, which would first require the activity to be banned and then only permitted under licence, in order to mitigate the illegal killing of birds of prey, the instances of which have seen a significant reduction in recent years, and spread of avian influenza. There is no scientific evidence to support her claim that ‘there is increasing evidence that the unregulated release of large numbers of gamebirds plays a significant role in the persistence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza which has significant implications for wild birds, the poultry industry and for human health’. It was an unsubstantiated claim used with the clear intention of attempting to influence policy to further the RSPB’s anti-shooting agenda.
It is essential that any future policy decisions are informed by the best available science and evidence, and that they are justified and proportionate. All those with the relevant knowledge and expertise are therefore strongly encouraged to respond to the Call for Evidence highlighting the considerable environmental, economic and social benefits of game shooting to the countryside and rural economy. Submissions should be evidential and analytical, not a simple statement of support or opposition, and a briefing note is being compiled in conjunction with Aim to Sustain partner organisations, and the GWCT as its scientific advisor, which will give guidance as to the information that should be provided. This will be shared as soon as it is available. The closing date for responses is Thursday 1 November 2026.