August

As a research-led organisation with expertise in gamebird management and biodiversity monitoring, the GWCT has previously reviewed the evidence relating to the relationship between pheasant releasing and reptile numbers alongside our wider work on the potential impacts of gamebird releasing on the environment. 

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. 

GWCT chief executive Teresa Dent CBE wrote a letter to Greenpeace’s interim UK Executive Director offering to meet to present scientific evidence in response a to petition calling for a total ban on controlled burning.