NRW’s proposed approach to regulating the release of gamebirds

Overview

Why are we consulting?

Significant numbers of non-native gamebirds, particularly common pheasant and red-legged partridge, are released in Wales each year. Within the boundaries of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) these releases usually require consent. However, in Wales, there is currently little regulation outside of protected sites.

This has led to concerns about the ability of agencies like Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to effectively monitor and manage potential environmental impacts from these releases, including their potential effects on European protected sites.

In 2021, Defra introduced an interim regulatory approach to licensing the release of gamebirds in England. The Welsh Ministers have asked the Welsh Government and NRW to consider options for regulating gamebird releases in Wales.

In 2022 we invited stakeholders and the public to submit evidence to inform our review of the situation in Wales and we received responses from a range of organisations and individuals.

The available evidence shows that management activities carried out by the game shooting sector can deliver benefits for biodiversity, but that the release of gamebirds can also lead to harm, particularly where they happen in sensitive locations or at unsustainable levels.  

We now want your views on a proposed new regulatory approach. Our aim is to put in place an effective, workable, and proportionate system that will help the game shooting sector to operate sustainably.

In developing this proposal, we have considered our duties towards protected sites as well as to species and habitats protected under Welsh legislation, particularly those listed under section 7 of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 as being of principal importance to the maintenance and enhancement of biodiversity in Wales.

This is not a consultation on whether or not shooting live quarry should continue to be allowed in Wales.

What are we proposing?

• Consultation paper
• Annexes available at the bottom of the page

We have advised the Welsh Ministers to take the necessary steps to add common pheasant and red-legged partridge to part 1 of Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Part 1 of Schedule 9 lists non-native species that are already established in the wild, but which may pose a conservation threat to native biodiversity and habitats. This would mean that any release of those species in Wales would need to be carried out under a licence issued by NRW.

This consultation also serves as an opportunity to provide objections or representations about the proposal to add these species to Schedule 9 of the 1981 Act.

We are proposing that gamebird releases that are 500m or more from a sensitive SSSI or European protected site and follow widely accepted good practice will be permitted under the terms of a general licence. A general licence is a licence that we publish on our website and is available for anyone to use provided they comply with its terms and conditions. We propose using the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust’s Guidelines for Sustainable Gamebird Releasing as the broad basis for the terms and conditions of this general licence.

We are proposing that releases within sensitive protected sites, or within 500m of their boundaries, will need a specific licence from NRW. Specific licences must be applied for, are given individual consideration by NRW, and are issued to a particular person. Releases in other areas that do not meet the terms and conditions of the general licence will also require a specific licence. This will allow us to consider those releases that pose the greatest risks individually. Applicants for specific licences will be asked to demonstrate how they will ensure their releases will not harm the environment, and ideally provide benefits for biodiversity.

We are proposing to identify protected sites where gamebird releases would be highly unlikely to have an impact on any of the designated features. The general licence will be available to use in these sites. We propose to include a list of these sites as part of the general licence.

The full details of our proposal are contained in the Consultation Document which can be downloaded from this page. Further supporting information is included in the associated Annexes and Evidence Reports.

Implementation and review

It is proposed that the new approach will come into force in time for the 2024-25 season.

We recognise that this is an area where the evidence is rapidly evolving. We are therefore committed to keeping any new approach under review and responding to any new evidence.