Overview

The Welsh Ministers have asked Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and Welsh Government to consider options for regulating gamebird releases in Wales.

Currently, whilst releases within the boundary of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) usually require consent, there is little regulation outside of protected sites.

Concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of the current regulatory provisions to effectively monitor and manage potential environmental impacts, particularly on European protected sites. Following a legal challenge, Defra has introduced an interim regulatory approach. However, that approach applies only to releases in England.

We are now reviewing the available evidence and will develop proposals for a proportionate regulatory approach to gamebird releases in Wales.  In carrying out this work we intend to:

• Review the findings of the Rapid Evidence Assessment for Natural England and the British Association of Shooting and Conservation (Madden J.R. & Sage, R.B. 2020. see link below)
• Review the findings of RSPB evidence report no.66 - The impacts of non-native gamebird release in the UK: an updated evidence review (Mason et al 2020. see link below)
• Identify and consider any relevant evidence that was not considered in those reviews - such as evidence published since they were concluded, or evidence of specific relevance to Wales
• Review the conclusions Defra reached in developing their interim licensing regime for England
• Consider how best to manage any ecological risks in Wales without disproportionately compromising the ecological, social, and economic benefits provided by game shooting
• Consult on our preferred option(s) in 2023 and consider any responses received
• Implement any new regulatory approach and provide guidance to help our customers to comply with it

We are particularly interested in evidence that was not considered in the reviews listed above and can help us better understand and assess:

• The scale and distribution of gamebird releases in Wales and any associated trends
• The ecological effects of gamebird releases and the factors that contribute to those effects
• The ecological effects of management activities related to game shooting in Wales
• The socio-economic effects of game shooting in Wales

We are not looking for evidence relating to the following matters, which are out of scope of this work:

• The use of lead shot
• Whether gamebird rearing or other shooting activities should be allowed on the NRW estate
• The ethics of game shooting

We are looking for scientific or anecdotal evidence. This is not a consultation and therefore we are not looking for views or opinions at this stage.

We will actively look for relevant published evidence that has not yet been considered. However, we also want to give stakeholders the opportunity to share evidence they are aware of, or evidence they hold, that they feel would be useful in informing our approach.

Please email your evidence to: 

gamebirds@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

Alternatively, you can submit evidence by post to:

Gamebirds Call for Evidence

Natural Resources Wales

Maes y Ffynnon

Penrhosgarnedd 

Bangor

Gwynedd

LL57 2DW