Consultation responses

By responding to government and conservation agency consultations we help them develop policies that are sympathetic to conservation in the countryside.

Our participation often leads us to become involved in regular stakeholder dialogues to iron out differences in approach to controversial issues.

 A working group meets on the Bowland Fells to discuss the conservation of hen harriers on grouse moors

Date	Origin	Title	Response	Download
Jan 2010	Defra	Draft code on game rearing	We support this draft code which will operate under the Animal Welfare Act (2006.)
May 2009	Defra	Options for set-aside mitigation	We think the best approach now is to pursue the NFU and CLA voluntary initiative.
Mar 2009	Scottish Government	Schedules of the Nature Conservation Act (Scotland)	Species protection should be led by evidence so that there are not unintended consequences.
Dec 2008	Scottish Government	Less Favoured Area Support Scheme in Scotland (2010-2013)	Farming remote areas requires direct support for game and wildlife benefit.
Dec 2008	Natural England	Enhanced Farm Environment Record for Entry-Level Stewardship	We think this proposed replacement for management plan options has little or no value.
Nov 2008	Scottish Government	Provisions relating to muirburn dates in relation to climate change adaptation.	Muirburn is likely to help adapt Scotland to climate change.
Oct 2008	Natural England	XC1 proposals for mitigating the loss of set-aside	Although we support the principle of this measure many of these management options will benefit wildlife very little.
Oct 2008	New Forest National Park Authority	New Forest National Park Plan	We were very impressed by this and especially by the assertion of the Sandford principle which puts conservation first.
Sep 2008	Defra	A Wildlife Management Strategy for England	Defra's approach is too narrow and their proposed strategy falls well short of what is needed.
Sep 2008	Defra	CAP Health check	We think the UK should press for a Conservation Land option to replace set-aside which was lost last year.
June 2008	Forest Estates Scotland	FES Framework and Forest District  Strategic Plans	Scotland's public forests and woods could give wide benefits igf gmae management principles are used.
Apr 2008	Scottish Government	The Future for Food in Scotland	Game has a significant role to play in Scottish food security.
Apr 2008	Scottish Government	Climate Change Bill	A key consideration is the large quantity of carbon locked up in Scotland's peatland. Managing this is important for the nation's carbon balance.
Jan 2008	EU Commission	CAP Health check	In response to a question about the loss of set-aside, we think there needs to be a new agri-environment measure to fund open-field conservation options.
May 2007	DTI	Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation	We think the RTFO is not a good way to reduce carbon emissions, & biofuels could harm wildlife conservation.
Apr 2007	Defra	Invasive Non-native Species Strategy	We think this is sensible, but it must be able to respond speedly before species get established irreversibly.