Alliance statement on the Natural England grant of Buzzard Licence

"The Countryside Alliance has always supported the principle that a species should be managed according to its local population status and impact on economic and conservation activities, not according to public perception. Many species are already culled under a number of different licences. Shooting provides immense conservation, economic and social benefits, and in some places the 182% increase in buzzards seen in the past 20 years has made delivering these benefits very challenging. It is entirely right wildlife managers can apply to Natural England for permission to resolve these conflicts, and for a rigorous process to result in a licence for lethal control where absolutely necessary.

For more information on the issuing of licenses for buzzard control, we suggest reading the Q&A produced by the National Gamekeepers' Organisation (NGO). Last year the NGO successfully supported a gamekeeper in the High Court when he was unlawfully denied a licence for buzzard control."