Blogs

Adam Vaughan’s recent article Shooting curbs to save endangered woodcock, includes inaccuracies which make it misleading. The woodcock is neither rare nor endangered.

We’re encouraged to read that government believes “boosting food production and strengthening resilience and sustainability come alongside, not instead of, protecting and enhancing our natural environment”.

Recent isolated cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in released pheasants highlights the importance of good biosecurity and vigilance amongst all those involved in game management. 

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.

Mark Glover’s view that gamebird releasing causes environmental carnage, “Slaughter of UK’s imported gamebirds carries a heavy price, 22 July”, is not supported by the scientific evidence.