On Tuesday evening the World Land Trust organised a second evening of Controversial Conservation. This time it involved Chris Packham, Bill Oddie, Andrew Gilruth (from GWCT), John Burton (CEO of the World Land Trust and Garry Marvin – and me. Andrew was a bit outnumbered but he did really well – considering the sticky wicket…
Category: Grouse and harriers
A response, of a kind, from Defra
Our e-petition to ban driven grouse shooting passed 16,800 signatures yesterday. Thank you to all who have signed. Yesterday also saw Defra’s response to the e-petition – earned when the 10,000th person signed the e-petition (but it has taken a while). I’m not much impressed by the response. Are you? I’ll tell you why not…
E-petition passes 16,000 signatures – where is Defra’s response?
A little while before midday yesterday our e-petition to ban driven grouse shooting passed the 16,000 signature mark. Thank you to all who have signed it already. This is already, inside three months, the 9th most-signed e-petition aimed at Defra. And there are another seven months to go (there would be nine if it weren’t…
Why licensing of driven grouse shooting will not work
I am grateful to the RSPB Chair, Prof Steve Ormerod for his Guest Blog on licensing of grouse shooting. As always, the RSPB has a well thought-through position which could make a difference to the plight of the Hen Harrier. However, I don’t think they have the best thought-through position on this particular issue, especially…
A Damascene conversion?
It’s quite funny how the shooting community is falling over itself in its bid to express its love for the Hen Harrier these days. Anyone mentioning the phrase ‘rats wi’ wings’ is shushed severely. One of the more striking and welcome expressions of love for the Hen Harrier (a strong candidate for the shortlist for…