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Welsh Government investigate options for gamebird release

Following the introduction of a licensing regime in England, the Welsh Government have asked Natural Resources Wales to consider the options for the regulation of gamebird releases in Wales.

On 12th July Natural Resources Wales launched a 6 week call for evidence to better understand:

  • The scale and distribution of releases in Wales,
  • The risks presented by gamebird releases,
  • The socio-economic contribution that the industry makes and,
  • The environmental benefits of associated management activities.

A review of evidence already available will also take place, mainly documents and conclusions that were submitted to Defra when reviewing the licence in England. These were developed in response to the Judicial Review that Wild Justice brought against the Government last year concerning damage game birds might cause to these protected sites. The Judicial Review was withdrawn following Defra's commitment to introduce a temporary licensing regime. The Department also committed to addressing gaps in the existing scientific literature that had been highlighted during the review into the ecological consequences of gamebird releasing and management on lowland Shoots in England undertaken the previous year.

It has also been confirmed that starting this summer, Defra, Natural England and the Animal and Plant Health Agency are beginning a three-year Gamebird Research Project into those knowledge gaps. The project, which will undoubtedly also inform the Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales work, will widen the evidence enabling them to consider longer term regulatory solutions around gamebird releases on and around European sites.

The Countryside Alliance will be engaging with stakeholders and will provide an evidence based response to the call for evidence.

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