SNAPSHOTS
MPs support grouse shooting in ban debate
THE GOVERNMENT has “no intention” of banning driven grouse shooting, but pledged to bring to justice those guilty of raptor persecution, in the recent Parliamentary debate on the issue.
The debate was triggered by a petition to ban grouse shooting brought by former RSPB conservation director Mark Avery, as well as a counter-petition supporting the sport.
Mr Avery claimed that habitat management related to grouse shooting increases flood risk and greenhouse gas emissions, often leads to raptor persecution and that the sport itself is “economically, ecologically and socially unnecessary”. His petition was supported by the League Against Cruel Sports and celebrity conservationists Chris Packham and Bill Oddie.
The overwhelming majority of the MPs who spoke at the debate were supportive of grouse shooting and while there were calls for action and further research in some areas, none of the MPs present supported an outright ban.
In her closing remarks, minister for rural affairs Dr Therese Coffey said that there would be no ban and that that there was no plan to introduce licensing of grouse moors, as had been suggested as an alternative to a ban by the RSPB.
She further rebutted the claims regarding flood risk, stating: “In 2013, a Natural England study on the effects of managed burning found no direct evidence specifically relating to the effect of burning on water course flow or the risk of downstream flood events.”
Shooting organisations welcomed the widespread support that driven grouse shooting received from MPs. Liam Stokes, Countryside Alliance head of shooting campaigns, said: “We’re pleased the Government has acknowledged the value of grouse shooting and I know that all those involved in grouse shooting will be heartened by the overwhelming support from Parliamentarians. It is notable that not one of the 20 something MPs who spoke in the debate supported a ban on grouse shooting.
BASC chairman Peter Glenser commented: “The debate may have fallen out of an online petition by extremists but, in the end, it allowed those with a passion for shooting to very publicly dispel the myths behind their propaganda.
“We should make no bones about it; shooting, not just grouse shooting, was under attack in the build up to this debate. But it was inspiring to see the way those who live and work within in the countryside, and those with a passion for the countryside, united to fight off this attack.”