United Utilities damages the environment and kills rural communities

The decision by United Utilities not to renew shooting leases on its land has allegedly been made to manage water quality, quantity, and flood mitigation as the company responds to the challenges of climate change. However, there is no evidence to substantiate the claim that banning upland and lowland shoot management on its landholdings will have any beneficial impact on these issues. United Utilities has ignored the evidence and the obvious and far-reaching environmental, economic, and social impacts that this decision will have on rural communities. Indeed, it is quite clear from available evidence that the decision is self-defeating, and that it will work against the declared objectives of the company.

Both science and evidence are overwhelming in their support of game shooting and its associated management practices. It provides employment, not just to those that are employed on a full-time basis, but also all those who are employed casually on shoot days. It also benefits numerous rural businesses and has an important part to play socially. Shooting is all about communities, and although communities are listed in its Business Model as one of the stakeholders with whom United Utilities consults as an integral part of its planning, that consultation has not taken place. Instead, whole communities have been totally ignored, with one shoot being informed by email on the day the announcement was made, that it will be forced to close in 2024, having been running for over 30 years.

Over 5,600 have used our e-lobby to make United Utilities aware of their concerns since it was launched on 25 July. If you have not already done so, you can sign it here. It is not just shoots that will be affected by this decision; it will also have a significant impact on neighbouring shoots and numerous businesses. We have therefore written to those supportive MPs with constituencies in which affected shoots and businesses are situated, asking them to write to the Chief Executive of United Utilities on behalf of their constituents. We have also written to Defra Secretary of State. Whilst it is not for the Government to instruct private companies how to operate, the cessation of the important conservation efforts on shoots can be expected to threaten long-term environmental goals, undermining the delivery of the Government’s environmental objectives, and it needs to be aware of this.

A letter has also been sent to Louise Beardmore, Chief Executive of United Utilities, in which we have highlighted our concerns, and those of the thousands that have contacted her, asking her to take account of all available science and evidence which is overwhelming in its support of game shooting and its associated management, and to renew shooting leases as and when they come up for renewal. If that does not happen, then the consequences can be expected to be considerable not simply for wildlife and communities, but also in terms of water management. A copy of our letter can be read here.