GWCT research underpins MPs defence of grouse management in Parliament
In the recent Westminster Hall debate on whether grouse shooting should be banned briefings provided by shooting organisations for MPs drew heavily on science undertaken by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT).
MPs were given the confidence to make an overwhelmingly positive case for grouse moor management (GMM) thanks to the strength of scientific evidence provided by the Trust, showing how continued support and membership of GWCT is essential to the future of game shooting across the board.
Former Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, highlighted that “a recent study by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust in Northumberland reveals the devastating ecological impact on plover, snipe, lapwing and curlew populations of the withdrawal of predator control carried out by moor owners”.
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He said banning grouse shooting would “leave our landscape and wildlife poorer” and referred to grouse management as “one of the world’s greatest conservation success stories.”
In addition, MPs for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk, Thirsk and Malton, Strangford, Mid Buckinghamshire, and Keighley all referred to GWCT science during the course of the debate. Several studies were referred to directly, including the case study on Berwyn SPA, our recent return to the Uplands Predation Experiment, the comparison of managed and unmanaged moors for waders, and the Langholm Project.
MPs from across all major parties backed sustainable grouse shooting. Only one MP spoke in favour of a ban. The debate concluded with a reiteration from DEFRA minister Daniel Zeichner MP that the Government has no plans to ban driven grouse shooting given its contribution to the environment, economy, and local communities.
To read GWCT’s briefing to MPs in full please visit Our MPs' briefing for the parliamentary debate on banning driven grouse shooting.
Words by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust
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