Following yesterday's blog, I thought it might be useful to expand on the three different perspectives regarding the future of grouse shooting.
Here are the quotes will appear in this autumn's issue of Nature's Home magazine. They offer three different way forward. I encourage you to read the full article when/if the magazine arrives on your doorstep.
Dr Mark Avery, Wildlife writer and organiser of the Hen Harrier Day event in the Peak District
Driven grouse shooting has been a peculiarly British pastime for only about 200 years and we’d be better off without it. Banning it would mean more wildlife, better water quality, more soil carbon and fewer floods. Grouse shooting is an intransigent industry and licensing would be costly and ineffective. It is time to ban driven grouse shooting; if you agree, please sign atepetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/65627
James Robinson, Head of Nature Policy, RSPB
Important wildlife sites are being damaged or destroyed by the poor management of many driven grouse moors, and birds of prey continue to be disturbed and persecuted. Self regulation has failed, so the RSPB is asking for a robust licensing system. Those who breached conditions would have their licenses removed. Law-abiding grouse shoots would benefit from improved public confidence. You can follow RSPB policy at rspb.org.uk/martinharper
Amanda Anderson, Director, the Moorland Association
Grouse moor managers work hard to protect our uplands. Careful burning is vital for biodiversity, and we are involved in innovative techniques to restore healthy deep peat. We are also committed to sustainable growth in harrier numbers as part of Defra’s Hen Harrier Joint Recovery Plan (epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/67527). Many moors are designated as protected areas, so everything we do is under consent already. Further red tape could stifle our recent progress.
What do you think about these three perspectives?
It would be great to hear your views.
Winter Issue - sorry Bimo - it should be landing any day now.
Nothing in 'my migrants special' Autumn edition of Nature's voice?
Good article by Simon Barnes on migration 'on a wing and a prayer'
Is there another edition due out?
Thanks for this Ollie - there are so many unknowns about the brood management scheme, that it would be great to hear some answers!
DEFRA have already responded negatively to three e-petitions calling for action against the grouse shooting industry - one asking for a licensing system for grouse moors and gamekeepers (epetitions.direct.gov.uk/.../46473), one asking for the introduction of vicarious liability as an offence in England (epetitions.direct.gov.uk/.../23089) and of course Dr Avery's call for an outright ban on driven shoots.
In the run-up to the general election, I don't think the government want to deal with this issue, as whatever they decide to do is going to leave one group or the other dissatisfied and therefore potentially cost them votes.
I recently sent the GWCT a series of questions about the Brood Management System that they are advocating and I understand they will publish the answers in a blogpost on their website.
First read this as to understanding behavourial ecology of farmers and assume similar for 'isolated' gamekeepers www.scribd.com/.../Behavioural-ecology-of-farmers-what-does-it-mean-for-wildlife-Chris-Stoate-in-British-Wildlife-Mag then read this as to the grouse shooting fraternity 'wising up' to fact that change must occur www.scribd.com/.../Grouse-moor-management-in-Fieldsports-magazine-Aug-Sept-14
Suspect that Avery would be bereft of a cause (and twitters followers) when shooting and harriers find their peace.