This is a guest blog by Jeff Knott, Head of Nature Policy marking the enormous achievement by the campaign to ban grouse shooting. Over 100,000 people have now signed this petition to ban driven grouse shooting. This is a huge achievement from everyone involved, including of course the petitions creator, my former boss, Mark Avery. What makes it all the more impressive is that this is a genuine grassroots movement. It’s not the result of a coordinated campaign by a big conservation organisation. Its support has grown organically, as groups of people have flocked to its message. We have not called for a ban, our position is to press reform through licensing but we are under no illusion ... this is a spectacular achievement this is a powerful message that will not be ignored. So what happens next? Well, having secured the magic 100,000 signatures, something only a tiny handful of petitions manage, there will be a parliamentary debate on the issue. The RSPB will actively promote this to MPs, encouraging them to attend the debate and emphasising why change is vital. We don’t believe a ban is inevitable, so in the briefing, we will highlight our view that licensing is the best way to secure these changes and talk about why this approach could work. The best way for law-abiding shoots to avoid a future ban, is to embrace licensing and deliver meaningful change. We will also ask our supporters to write to their MPs, asking them to attend the debate and speak positively. We should all be realistic. This debate is unlikely to lead to an immediate change. I’d be amazed if either a ban or licensing was introduced off the back of it. However, it can still make a huge positive contribution to moving the debate forward. 100,000 signatures for change, backed by a strong debate where the necessity and options are clearly set out can be a major turning point in the fight for our hen harriers and our uplands. That fight will need to go on and we will of course continue to be part of it, as I’m sure everyone who signed this petition will too. This isn’t the end, but it might be the beginning of the end. So congratulations to everyone involved in the petition. Now let’s work together to make the debate a success and then to secure the changes we need to see.
This is a guest blog by Jeff Knott, Head of Nature Policy marking the enormous achievement by the campaign to ban grouse shooting.
Over 100,000 people have now signed this petition to ban driven grouse shooting. This is a huge achievement from everyone involved, including of course the petitions creator, my former boss, Mark Avery.
What makes it all the more impressive is that this is a genuine grassroots movement. It’s not the result of a coordinated campaign by a big conservation organisation. Its support has grown organically, as groups of people have flocked to its message.
We have not called for a ban, our position is to press reform through licensing but we are under no illusion ... this is a spectacular achievement this is a powerful message that will not be ignored.
So what happens next? Well, having secured the magic 100,000 signatures, something only a tiny handful of petitions manage, there will be a parliamentary debate on the issue.
The RSPB will actively promote this to MPs, encouraging them to attend the debate and emphasising why change is vital. We don’t believe a ban is inevitable, so in the briefing, we will highlight our view that licensing is the best way to secure these changes and talk about why this approach could work. The best way for law-abiding shoots to avoid a future ban, is to embrace licensing and deliver meaningful change.
We will also ask our supporters to write to their MPs, asking them to attend the debate and speak positively.
We should all be realistic. This debate is unlikely to lead to an immediate change. I’d be amazed if either a ban or licensing was introduced off the back of it. However, it can still make a huge positive contribution to moving the debate forward. 100,000 signatures for change, backed by a strong debate where the necessity and options are clearly set out can be a major turning point in the fight for our hen harriers and our uplands.
That fight will need to go on and we will of course continue to be part of it, as I’m sure everyone who signed this petition will too. This isn’t the end, but it might be the beginning of the end.
So congratulations to everyone involved in the petition. Now let’s work together to make the debate a success and then to secure the changes we need to see.
Yes the petition is a fantastic achievement. Just shows that strong support for wildlife is out there, one just needs to tap inti it in the right way.
I have always said that the RSPBs call for a licensing system for driven grouse moors/shooting and Mary Avery's call/petition for a ban, are one of the same thing for a much better deal for our uplands and its wildlife. The petition and the licensing system must work together. and in combination in taking this whole issue forward as a single cause to be won. There must absolutely be no "them and us" at any level whatsoever..
So with he RSPB working at every level with Mark when facing up to the politicians we shall win this battle.
redkite
Good article Jeff.
Welcome back on board the RSPB. I agree that we should all work together to make the debate a success and then to secure the changes we need to see. I assume that this now means that the RSPB will, at long last, ask its 1 million members, directly, to join in and support this debate. (make that 999,999 members as I am already fully committed)
Keep going
Regards
Mike
Thanks Jeff - all happened a bit quickly, didn't it? And now we stand at 102,558 on petition.parliament.uk/.../125003. I emailed Mike Clarke on Thursday evening to suggest working even more closely together and I look forward to hearing from RSPB soon. many thanks. Mark
A love of the natural world demonstrates that a person is a cultured inhabitant of planet Earth.
To be blunt, Martin, the RSPB will be briefing MP's not to listen to those that signed the petition. That is the inescapable logic of the position the RSPB is now in. You know; 'thanks for getting all this attention to the issue, but settle down, we know best'. So why not start acting democratically and consult all RSPB member as to what they really want; no change, licensing, or a complete ban? If the RSPB members position turns out to be different to the Ban Driven Grouse Shooting campaign, then start (and fund) your own campaign accordingly.
Too wishy washy from RSPB. We need a total ban. These people are criminals who break the law with impunity. If no ban then direct action is inevitable like the 30 brave people who walked in front of the guns on Ilkley Moor yesterday and stopped the shoot.