“As the leading independent, scientific, evidence-based organisation on gamebird management, the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) very much looks forward to engaging with Defra over the coming weeks as part of this call for evidence.
“We have a significant body of peer-reviewed science to contribute, built on nearly a century of research by expert scientists and complemented by our practical, on-the-ground experience of delivering nature recovery alongside sustainable game management. The impact of gamebird releases on the environment and wildlife is nuanced and complex, contrary to the simplistic messages we often hear, making it vital that future policy is informed by robust science and evidence.
“The evidence shows that best practice gamebird management can boost biodiversity alongside productive farming at the scale required for national nature recovery, offering a huge contribution to public goods at no cost to the taxpayer.”