In response to the conclusion of the legal challenge brought by Wild Justice against Defra regarding the issuing of licences for gamebird releases in the Deben Estuary and Breckland in 2023, The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust has issued the following statement:
As one of the UK’s leading wildlife research charities, Defra called on the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) to provide independent advice on gamebird management and releasing in 2023.
The GWCT has undertaken decades of peer-reviewed research in this field and the advice it gives is based on research evidence and expertise.
The Trust was pleased to have been consulted by Defra on technical matters relating to gamebird ecology and management as part of the ministerial department’s decision-making process.