On Wednesday 9th April the Western Daily Press reported: "A call for gamekeepers and shoots to be licensed as a means of protecting birds of prey has been rejected", with the "economic and environmental benefits" of sport shooting reason enough not to restrict it. The petition to the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs proposed licenses for gamekeeper and shoots, with each forfeiting them for breaches of conditions to include the illegal persecution of raptors. Though the focus was primarily on upland grouse moors, managers of the West Country's prime pheasant shoots will be relieved at the Government's refusal – and recognition of their contribution to the rural economy." Read more on this story here.