DEFRA fails to re-issue interim General Licence

The interim General Licence 43 (GL43) for the release of pheasants and red-legged partridge on or within 500m of European Protected Sites in England expired at midnight on 30 May, and Defra has failed to issue a replacement. As a result, the release of pheasants and red-legged partridges into the wild within Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) or within 500 metres of their boundaries, is now prohibited except under the terms of an Individual Licence. Defra has said that they will publish a new licence, along with supporting evidence and assessments, ‘as soon as possible’, and that those planning to release gamebirds on or near these sites ‘in the near future’, will need first to contact Natural England. This is unacceptable.

The Countryside Alliance was informed by Defra on 10 May that there would be a change to this year’s licence, with the release of pheasant and red legged partridge on or within 500m of SPAs no longer covered by the General Licence due to a supposed increase in the risk of spreading avian influenza to the protected species on those sites. Those wishing to do so would either need to apply for an individual licence, or else release them away from the 500m buffer zone. At that time, releases on or within 500m of SACs would have remained covered by the General Licence. 

There is no confirmed scientific evidence of gamebird releasing and management contributing to the transmission of avian influenza in wild birds, and these proposed changes were made without engagement with stakeholders. Given the late stage at which the announcement was made, these proposed changes would have had a significant impact on numerous shoots which will have already made their plans for the coming season. The Countryside Alliance has been lobbying Defra to ensure the new GL34 is workable, and fit for purpose, and we had been led to believe that this would be the case. It is therefore hoped that Defra’s failure to issue a replacement GL43 for 2023/24 is nothing more than an administrative delay, and we are pressing Defra to resolve the issue as a matter of urgency.  Those who need to contact Natural England should do so via gamebirds@naturalengland.org.uk. We will keep you updated with any information as it becomes available.