Natural England restricts gamebird shooting on Thornton Moor.
Fresh doubt has been cast over the future of the controversial game bird shoot on Yorkshire Water’s land at Thornton Moor after Natural England has refused permission for a significant part of the operation.
The government’s habitats watchdog has said in a decision notice issued to Yorkshire Water and its tenant that the release of non-native partridges for shooting and related practices must not go ahead on or around the Site of Special Scientific Interest because they have potential to seriously damage the protected nature site. This includes by harming sensitive carbon-rich peatlands and causing disruption to and competition for food with sensitive ground-nesting birds, such as curlew, golden plover and merlin.
Natural England has also made clear that use of the moor for shooting is not necessary for conservation of the site.
Luke Steele, Executive Director of Wild Moors, said “Natural England’s decision makes plain that game bird shooting on Thornton Moor poses a risk to wildlife and the environment and is not necessary. We welcome this intervention which has significant bearing over the future of the shooting lease.”
Yorkshire Water has stated that it will adhere with Natural England’s decision and expects its shooting tenant to also.
The development comes as the company is expected to start its review into the future of the shooting lease on Thornton Moor ahead of it expiring later this year. In order to inform its decision Yorkshire Water will be considering what is the best option for delivering its nature and climate ambitions: continuing game bird shooting or restoring the moor.
Nick Weston, Head of Campaigns at the League Against Cruel Sports, said “Shooting is a dying sport and the sooner this is accepted, the sooner the countryside can be returned to wild flora and fauna. Yorkshire Water’s review of its shooting tenancies has the potential to blaze a trail for landowners across the country, and the latest from Natural England shows that of the many options for the future of Yorkshire’s moors, shooting should be bottom of the pile.”
The shooting tenant has the right to appeal Natural England’s decision.
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“Shooting is a dying sport”
Possibly only true in one respect unfortunately.
This is good news, Thornton Moor is one of a number of shoots that are owned by YW and leased to tenants, several of theese are grouse moors. Simply it is time that Yorkshire Water rewilded these places and dumped shooting and shooting tenants, better for the countryside and a far better image for them..
Paul – and NE have helped that decision here
yes, a very pleasant and unexpected surprise.
It’s depressing that no matter how slow rewilding is actually taking place in Scotland, a bit here and a bit there, it’s still racing ahead of Wales and the parts of northern England that are currently grouse moor. I really hope YW kick starts serious restoration there at very long last.
If you compare a well managed grouse moor , to a “rewilded” grouse moor. I think you will find that the diversity of flora and fauna is far wider on a well managed moor. Thats why most managed moors were designated sssi in the first place. To protect the very thing that the decades of management had created.