Shooting organisations submit evidence to defend High Court challenge

Shooting organisations have submitted evidence on the impact of gamebird release on designated sites as the judicial review against Defra continues.

The interested parties - BASC, Countryside Alliance, National Gamekeepers Organisation and the Game Farmers' Association - have provided a 60-page written statement highlighting the available science and describing the direct and indirect impacts of releasing gamebirds on designated sites.

The written submission, alongside Defra's, fundamentally disputes the legal basis for wild Justice's challenge.

A spokesperson for the organisations said: "As interested parties, we are leading from the front with a pragmatic and scientific approach. Our submission lays out the known science which shows the benefits and possible impacts of gamebird release, but most importantly it shows that this judicial review is a waste of time and is a drain on taxpayers' money.

"Defra are committed to reviewing the gamebird release process and this challenge only serves to disrupt shooting and cause unwarranted concern for those that work within the community."

It is still the court's intention to have this case heard by middle of October; any court action will not impact on the season ahead.