The news that the European Commission is starting infraction proceedings against the UK, presumably for lack of action in England, over upland management issues, revealed on Martin Harper’s blog today is very welcome. It’s very welcome because it shows that the EU is a force for environmental good (but we knew that anyway) – although…
Tag: hen harrier
Freudian slip minister?
Environment Minister Rory Stewart encourages everyone to visit their nearest National Park or public woodland this Bank Holiday weekend. The minister says: ‘The UK’s National Parks, forests and woodlands are right at the heart of our national identity. These spaces belong to each and every one of us, and I’d challenge anyone visiting to enjoy…
Five years on
Five years ago today I left the RSPB and started life as a …well, I didn’t know what I was going to do, but I knew it was time for a change. Now I tend to call myself a writer and environmental campaigner. In that time I have written seven books – so I probably…
The Peak District – a fulcrum for change
What happens in the Peak District National Park is vital to the future of driven grouse shooting, to the future of our upland National Parks, and, indeed, to the future of the UK uplands. That’s quite a claim, so let me back it up. The pernicious impact of driven grouse shooting is now pretty well…
NE will reply individually to comments on the ‘man guarding his model Hen Harrier ‘ incident
The Natural England Press Office say that their Chief Executive will respond individually to emails he receives on the subject of armed men with model Hen Harriers in the Peak District. That’s James Cross, Chief Executive, Natural England: james.cross@naturalengland.org.uk
Peak District – what they say
This post starts with a simple round-up of who has said what since the breaking of the faking it blogpost on the Raptor Persecution UK (yes really!) website on Tuesday but ends with a challenge. Later today I will blog on the importance of the Peak District in the future of driven grouse shooting and…
Some of us get to vote a week today
If you live in England and Wales, but not in London or Greater Manchester, you will have the chance to vote for your police and crime commissioner a week today. P&CCs are charged with ensuring effective and efficient policing of a police area. Wildlife crime is part of that role – certainly not the most…
NT statement
I have just received this statement from the National Trust Press Office after asking them about the incident of a man sitting in the heather near a model Hen Harrier on National Trust land back in February. The NT Press Office also tell me that the incident took place on Snake Moorland. Jon Stewart,…
Thank you Steve.
It was kind of the Chair of the RSPB Council, Prof Steve Ormerod to make a rapid, initial, response to my blog of yesterday (and it is clear that he has read your comments there too). In case you missed it as a comment (posted this morning) here it is in full. Mark, I…
This man was not breaking the law
This man was spotted and filmed on a Peak District grouse moor, owned by The National Trust, in late February. The full story is on the Raptor Persecution Scotland website (NB guys – the Peak District is not in Scotland – when are you going to get around to changing your name?) and the guys…