A review into the release of gamebirds in or around protected sites has been concluded by Defra. It found that negative effects tended to be localised and that there are minimal or no effects beyond 500 metres from the point of release.
The review was conducted in response to a pre-action protocol letter from Wild Justice in July last year. Following this, Defra accepted that, in principle, the annual release of non-native gamebirds on, or affecting, Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) is capable of constituting a “plan or project” requiring appropriate assessment within the meaning of the (EU) Habitats Directive.
However, Defra did not accept Wild Justice’s assertion that existing laws did not provide for such assessment.
Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “Our review highlighted a need to…
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Sporting Gun (Digital) - 1 Issue, January 2021