GWCT News Blog

“We want to support the choices that farmers and land managers take on their holdings,” writes George Eustice in the foreword of Defra’s Agricultural Transition Plan, launched on 30 November. For farmers working under the trappings of the Common Agricultural Policy, this will provide a welcome sense of relief. In fact, much of the 66-page report will.

We take a closer look at the RSPB's attitude to shooting and how they continue to project it negatively to the public and its members.

You may be very disappointed with the announcement after all the hard work which the GWCT has devoted to the 'Werritty Review', and multiple representations to policy makers. As the recently published GWCT blog on the issue states, we are deeply concerned that what is required is solutions, not another layer of bureaucracy.

When it came to finding solutions to wildlife conflict, Scotland has been a world leader – until now. It was home to the most ambitious largescale moorland raptor trials in the world. However, lessons learnt have not been developed and Scotland now plans to license grouse moors in the hope that this will somehow end the conflict between raptors and grouse shooting.

The following is an interpretation of the guidance issued by government on 23 November. We will update this guidance should it be necessary to do so once the implementing legislation has been published and scrutinised by Parliament.

Lycetts Risk Management Services have prepared a template for COVID-19 risk assessments for shoots which you can now download free.

In the face of oversimplification, it is encouraging to see Sir Edward Leigh explain the important distinction between the ways in which our uplands are managed.

Watch this short video produced by The Fieldsports Channel on our Waders for Real project, which aims to reverse the decline of breeding waders in the Avon Valley, with the help of farmers, keepers and land managers.