In the week since Gavin Gamble’s e-petition closed, his e-petition has still added far more signatures than the Jane Griggs e-petition supporting grouse shooting and the Ed Hutchings, RSPB-supported, e-petition calling for licensing. Far more than the two of them put together in fact! How can that be? It’s because for several days people were clicking on their confirmation emails after new signatures were not allowed.
Three e-petitions - how do they compare?
| Position | Signatures | Signs in last week | Days left | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gavin Gamble | Ban | 48,173 | c125 | closed |
| Jane Griggs | Pro | 15,114 | c14 | 45 |
| Ed Hutchings | License | 15,021 | c20 | 67 |
Have a look at Ed Hutchings’s interview with the RSPB on why he started his e-petition – and then you could sign up for licensing.
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Given the RSPB advocates licensing and supports Ed’s petition, this is hardly a demonstration of strength – quite the opposite. Surely, the RSPB must see the importance of putting its members where its mouth is? Otherwise, calls for change are going to ring very hollow in the minds of the decisions makers who matter.
The response by the RSPB to Ed’s petition in the Summer edition of Nature’s Home is weak.
I’m sure Martin Harper feels strongly about this issue, but after pointing out that the UK’s raptors are the MOST PERSECUTED BIRDS in ALL of EUROPE (by percentage of species being illegally killed) only a measly half-page is devoted to the issue of driven grouse shooting (see page 41).
No photos (poisoning, burning, illegal tracks, snares, piles of dead mountain hares). No mention of the loss of biodiversity of both our flora and fauna. No mention of flooding. No mention of the intimidation of members of the public.
Worse, no mention of the conditions which should apply for a licensed activity to bring it under proper control, in order to persuade the reading membership that licensing would work.
You can fight to win. Or, you can fight to lose.
I am not yet convinced that the RSPB are fighting to win, on this.