Thousands demand NRW ‘act on evidence’ and reject restrictions on shooting

The Countryside Alliance has demanded Natural Resources Wales (NRW) acts on the evidence put to them by the public, as its consultation on the proposed licensing system to release gamebirds came to an end this week.

Over 12,600 people have signed and completed a Countryside Alliance e-campaign, which sent direct responses to the quango in response to the controversial consultation. It is understood that thousands of other individual responses have also been sent to NRW by members of the public opposing the proposed changes, via mail and email.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW), a supposedly at arms-length advisory body to the Welsh Government, issued a 12-week consultation on 27 March outlining its intention to add pheasant and red legged partridge to schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, thus putting them on par with invasive non-native species.

The proposals laid out by NRW risk amounting to a ban on the release of gamebirds through the back door. They would require a General Licence to release gamebirds and a specific licence to release them within 500m of protected sites such as SSSIs. Releasing gamebirds without the necessary licences would become an offence in Wales.

The system would mean that it would only be possible to release gamebirds subject to the goodwill and co-operation of the Minister and NRW, a position most shooters would find uncomfortable given Welsh Labour’s stance on opposing game shooting in Wales. Furthermore, the system of licencing would mean that licences could be suspended at any time, which could disrupt a whole season’s shooting and make planning a season uncertain and difficult to negotiate.

Over the last few months, rural campaign groups, including Countryside Alliance Wales, have toured packed out village halls, to spell out the damaging consequences this proposed licensing system will have on conservation and the Welsh economy.

At one event last month, which took place at the village hall in Llandegwyn Hall, Montgomeryshire, it was once again standing room only for a meeting dedicated to opposing the consultation.

The hall was full of influential shoots in Wales, along with numerous businesspeople, who made it crystal clear that they could not survive without the vital contribution of shooting in the winter months. Panel members present included Rachel Evans of Countryside Alliance Wales, Steve Griffiths of BASC, Jonathan Greatorex from The Hand, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog speaking for tourism, David Pooler Chairman of the National Gamekeepers Organisation and Matt Goodall. Also present were Craig Williams MP for Montgomeryshire, Simon Baynes MP for Clwyd South and Senedd Member Russell George who all spoke passionately about the need for a powerful lobby in a significant number to rebut the consultation proposals.

Among the thousands of signatories to the consultation, writing to oppose the suggested changes, are many businesses owners from shoots, pubs, restaurants, and hotels. 

One, Izzy a butcher from Powys, said the proposed ban would have a ‘devastating impact’ on her business and the local community.

‘It [shooting] brings huge economic benefit to an area that relies heavily on tourism” she said.

Leon Griffiths, a pub owner from Powys, said: ‘ We do get a lot of business from it [shooting] and during the winter it does help a lot. If shooting was to be banned in Wales we would lose a lot of business’. 

Rachel Evans, director of Countryside Alliance Wales said:

‘Natural Resources Wales must now demonstrate that they are an independent evidence-based body and must acknowledge and record the responses from thousands of people who have stepped up to support game shooting in Wales. I cannot think of a single other consultation that NRW have issued which has received such an overwhelming response from our community. The Welsh Government have offered no plausible explanation as to why it wants to introduce draconian regulation to a sector which is only positive for rural communities, conservation, and the Welsh economy. 

‘We must remember that this is an activity that takes place in rural areas but is also undertaken and appreciated by those living in urban areas, as has been shown by the large volume of responses from people living in towns and cities. Welsh Labour have underestimated how many communities have benefited from game shooting and must now put an end their tribalism on the issue and withdraw the suggestion of licencing. 

‘Once again there is a significant risk of reputational damage for Natural Resources Wales should they decide not to align with the substantial evidence provided. There is a lot at stake here for everyone, from politicians wanting to retain their seats to NRW and of course, the livelihoods of people across Wales.