More powerful evidence from Guy Shorrock, former police officer and long-serving RSPB Investigations team member; here are some quotes:
- The phenomenal response to the e-petition, on what many would consider a niche subject, is indicative of the increasing public concern about grouse moor management and the wide ranging environmental implications. Based on a significant volume of evidence, it is entirely understandable that so many are calling for a ban on the most intensive form of driven grouse shooting. I believe it is essential that the government takes some form of substantial action to recognise these concerns. This has to include statutory regulatory mechanisms. I personally believe the key word in this entire debate is ‘accountability’, or more accurately the lack of it, in relation to individuals who run and manage grouse shooting estates. Until this is addressed, I believe there is absolutely no chance of a significant change in the serious environmental problems associated with grouse moor management. Consequently, it is abundantly clear that, at the very least, the law on grouse shooting has to be significantly changed to bring accountability to the management of these large upland areas.
- The National Crime Agency (NCA) define organised crime as ‘serious crime planned, coordinated and conducted by people working together on a continuing basis. Their motivation is often, but not always, financial gain. Organised criminals working together for a particular criminal activity or activities are called an organised crime group’. The current levels of raptor persecution on driven grouse moor estates should be classed as organised crime.
- It is essential to understand that crimes like raptor persecution are being committed in private and remote places by individuals with an intimate knowledge of the land, often operating on the edge of darkness. The risks of detection to those involved are extremely low and this type of criminality is almost un-policable. The UK government and the RSPB are typically recording around 100 confirmed incidents of raptor persecution each year (typically shooting, trapping, poisoning and nest destruction). Nobody knows what percentage of actual incidents this actually accounts for. However, based on my experience, and in particular following detailed conversation with those involved in these crimes, I would be astonished if more than 1% of offences were actually discovered each year. Aside from the extremely low detection rate, of those that are discovered, then the successful prosecution rate is less than 5%. Consequently, the chances of an individual gamekeeper committing a raptor persecution offence and actually being prosecuted are incredibly low, and they are fully aware of this.
- It is my unshakeable belief that it is the shooting industry itself, the managers and employers of gamekeepers, who are at the fundamental root of this problem. It is the employers and managers who create the environment for these people to operate within and are ultimately orchestrating the widespread illegal environmental practices taking place. The desire to produce incredibly high artificial numbers of birds for driven grouse shooting will continue to provide the motivation for widespread illegal predator control.
- I have had a number of conversations with gamekeepers and others within the industry which have been eye-opening and extremely disturbing. It is widely accepted by these people that the vast majority of driven grouse shooting estates are involved in some level of raptor persecution, though the scale of this can vary significantly. At the very worst end of the scale, some estates are reportedly killing in excess of 200 raptors per year, akin to the horrific accounts traditionally linked to the Victorian period.
- I am aware of one individual who has been involved in grouse moor management for many years. Based on a huge amount of information, I believe this individual is one of the very top wildlife criminals in the UK, and managing gamekeepers who are responsible for the death of literally thousands of raptors and other protected wildlife during the last two decades or more. However, the reality is that this individual has never even been in a police station for an interview let alone anywhere near a court. It seems this individual, and much of the industry they are part of, consider, and with good reason, that they are pretty much untouchable.
- Based on my experience in this area, I have absolutely no doubt that any voluntary approach or code of conduct will never be effective. It is clear a robust and enforceable legal framework is needed to ensure the environment is properly protected.
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A shame Guy has to be so (de)coy about naming that individual.
The person Guy mentions needs to be named and shamed. Can I suggest we create a public legal defence fund so that in the event this person has the brass neck to try and sue Guy, his legal costs are met. I would be happy to stump up. Getting the number one wildlife criminal into a witness box and cross examined would expose the dark side of organised wildlife crime and the failings of parliament in stopping it.
Guy should ask his MP to ‘mention’ the name in the House.
It would be interesting to, at least, know whether the individual referred to is an estate owner or an employee and, if the latter, in what capacity.
It’s not that hard to work out, just think of the individual’s M.O.
Yep, that is who i was thinking of.
If you trawl through RPUk there is one name that stands out. If it isn’t him then he must be up there in the most wanted list of organized criminals.
This made me laugh.
From submission by GunsonPegs. Talk about irony!
10. There is a huge irony that, with the adoption, by media personalities, of the Hen Harrier as an icon, in public opinion it seems that it is viewed as an endangered animal because its numbers are low (though increasing) in this country. It is not endangered at all in the world though, Birdlife International have it, along with the Willow Grouse, in the ‘least concern’ category. Birdlife international gives no indicator for the Red Grouse though, which I assume would in the current situation, be not at risk in this country.
11. It is only when we get into the specifics that we see the need for the grouse moor to be protected, therefore grouse shooting to be continued, and potentially itself as an activity, protected. The Hen Harrier’s problems are similar to the problems of most birds; habitat loss due to intensive agriculture and, well, people. The same fate has befallen the Grey Partridge in the UK, and it is being helped back by the people who shoot it. Likewise, the Red Grouse needs the support of the people because we are its main problem; the only time this works properly is grouse moors. Inevitably this success attracts birds of prey, and thereby hangs the problem. Once the birds of prey hit a certain population level and this inevitably happens more with the birds who prey on grouse, like the Hen Harrier; we get a cause and effect situation. Unfortunately, too many Hen Harriers do more than spoil the broth, they tip the pan out and turn off the gas. It is about balance.
Here is another gem.
Barningham Estate comprising of 3000 acres of moorland on north of Yorkshire Dales claims BTO surveys, a previous ornithological owner and a professional wildlife photographer and yet not one Peregrine or Hen Harrier has ever been seen.
Maybe they just aren’t imagining looking out Anderson’s magical window.
Another moor with a BTO survey, this time in Forest of Bowland. Guess what, no Hen Harriers seen.
In spite of his claim
‘The moors which I lease have been a ‘stronghold’ for the Hen harrier and I have worked closely with both Natural England and the RSPB to maintain that position – and will continue to do so. I am currently involved with Stephen Murphy, Natural England’s Hen Harrier advisor, regarding the future. I am anxious to demonstrate that Raptor and Grouse interests can co-exist and work together for our mutual benefit.’
Philip Gunning has appeared in the media, on this blogs and RPUK comments before as grouse moor apologist, policeman and mason.
Heaven help us.
“It is about balance.”…Is that the balance produced by releasing millions of pheasants and red-legged partridge into the wild in the UK every year?..or the balance kept by maintaining a totally artificial habitat through burning and killing every possible predator of grouse?