Written by Dr Roger Draycott, Director of Advisory and Gamebird Policy
The RSPB’s position (‘Calls to ban gamebird release to avoid ‘catastrophic’ avian flu outbreak’, 10.02.2022) is not based on scientific evidence and the tone of Jeff Knott’s comments is alarmist. There is already a ban on releasing gamebirds in all avian flu control zones, and any game shoot releasing outside the control zones should be following rigorous biosecurity measures as standard good practice. In addition, research shows that gamebirds tend to stay within close proximity of release sites and are therefore less likely to pass on the virus to wild birds.
If the RSPB’s demand for a moratorium were enacted, it would unquestionably lead to a reduction in activities carried out by shoots, including habitat provision and management, supplementary feeding and targeted predation management, which our scientific research has proven to deliver significant biodiversity benefits to the British countryside. By not following the science, there is a risk that what the RSPB is calling for could be counterproductive by leading to diminished survival rates and productivity of songbirds.