The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust was asked to provide its expertise to Defra because it has undertaken and published more independently peer-reviewed science on matters relating to gamebird releasing than any other organisation (Shooting minister in bird flu dispute, 29 November).
As an independent research charity experienced in running Natural England and European Union-funded projects, we have strong relationships with government bodies and sit on the Defra/APHA Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) gamebird sector technical working group.
Our experience in the sector helped ministers and civil servants develop, where appropriate, effective, and workable licence conditions to mitigate any HPAI risk whilst at the same time ensuring the continued conservation of those red-listed waders and farmland bird species, which benefit from gamebird management activities like predation and habitat management.
Sir Jim Paice
Chairman of Trustees, Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust
Fordingbridge, Hampshire