We’re giving you a quick dose of some of the stories you might have missed over the last few weeks.
Wales plans ‘catastrophic’ GL change
Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the body that issues the general licences in Wales, has announced that it plans to change the general licence to control pest birds for the purpose of conserving other wild birds.
If it gets its way, from 2020 that licence will only apply for “conserving red or amber listed birds of conservation concern” – which means shooters and land managers won’t be able legally protect other birds from the likes of crows and magpies.
Shooting organisations have universally expressed criticism of the plans. Rachel Evans, Countryside Alliance director for Wales, said: “NRW are dangerously venturing into the unknown.
“The changes present a very real threat to many of Wales’ most treasured bird species, which will now be without uniform protection. NRW’s claim that the General Licences will be monitored and reviewed shows a lack of understanding of conservation: it is easier to preserve current populations than to reverse decline.”
Steve Griffiths, BASC’s Wales director, said: “It is not too extreme to say implementing this proposal would have catastrophic consequences. The changes would present a very real threat to many of the most treasured bird species in Wales by leaving them without uniform protection. It would change for the worse the Welsh countryside as we know it.”
British Shooting Show Liverpool dates revealed for 2020
The British Shooting Show’s second event will take place on 5-6 September 2020 at the Exhibition Centre in Liverpool. This will be the first time the Liverpool event takes place, on top of the already established event at the NEC in February.
Spanning more than 8,000 sq/m of space, the new event is set to echo the scale and ambition of the NEC show, but in a north-western location. Head to shootingshow.co.uk to learn more.
Go to page 2 for more of the latest stories in the field-sports world
Leave a Reply