Buzzards - Reply from my M.P

I have today received a reply from my local M.P.   This appears to be no more than a straight Govt press release but it does concern me that he makes it clear that DEFRA intend to develop new research proposal on buzzards.

It does talk about how DEFRA needs an "understanding of the whole relationship between raptors, game birds and other livestock".

I am concerned that there is some misunderstanding in this letter as it refers to 'conservation measures over the last two decades' seeing large increases in the number of buzzards and other birds of prey.  Basically the buzzard population has risen because it isn't shot as much as it used to be.

What the letter doesn't refer to is that 30 years ago it became illegal to shoot buzzards and other birds of prey and despite that the Hen Harrier is likely to be extinct as a breeding bird in England.

The buzzard issue has clearly not gone away, so keep an eye out for what is to come next.