Latest news with #WildJustice
The Independent
10 hours ago
- The Independent
Record number of rare hen harriers killed or missing in the past five years, RSPB warns
Record numbers of hen harriers have been killed or gone missing under suspicious circumstances in the last five years, according to the RSPB. The protected bird species is one of the rarest in the UK, known for their acrobatic 'skydancing' courtship display over the uplands, such as Forest of Bowland in Lancashire and the Yorkshire Dales. A total of 102 the protected birds of prey were illegally killed or went missing between 2020 and 2024 – mostly in areas where grouse shooting takes place, the RSPB says. Some hen harriers were shot and their chicks being stamped on, while others were poisoned or illegally trapped, according to the charity. In Scotland, grouse moors are licensed, and conservationists have repeatedly pressured Westminster governments to do the same. When Labour was in opposition, it indicated that it would consider licensing grouse shooting in England. MPs are due on Monday to debate calls for a ban on driven grouse shooting after a petition launched by campaign group Wild Justice attracted more than 100,000 names. But in its response, the government said it had no plans for a ban. It said: 'Well-managed grouse shooting can be an important part of a local rural economy, providing direct and indirect employment.' The RSPB's report, called Hen Harriers in the Firing Line, highlights a strong overlap between deaths of the bird of prey and the extent of grouse moors. A recent study of illegal killings found that survival rates were unusually low, with birds surviving for an average of just 121 days after leaving the nest. Persecution accounts for 75 per cent of deaths in birds aged between one and two years. Hen harriers, a red-listed species that breeds in Britain's uplands, is the most persecuted bird of prey in the UK for its population and numbers are heading towards local extinction, the wildlife charity says. Numerous studies confirm that illegal killing limits their recovery. But no one in England has ever been convicted of killing one because most kills happen in remote areas and a criminal burden of proof near-impossible to secure, campaigners say. James Robinson, of the RSPB, said: 'This species will not recover until the criminal activity stops, and for this to happen we need regulation of the grouse shooting industry – specifically the introduction of a licensing system for shoots in England, so estates proven by the police and Natural England to be linked to raptor persecution would lose their licence to operate.' Andrew Gilruth, chief executive of the Moorland Association, disputed the RSPB report, saying the data has been assembled without independent checks and that the allegations 'poison perceptions of gamekeepers'. The British Association for Shooting and Conservation said the report presented 'unproven allegations as evidence'. Its statement said: 'Proposals for a licensing system based on a civil burden of proof risk punishing the law-abiding without due process. 'Instead, we support constructive, evidence-led solutions such as Natural England's Hen Harrier Action Plan.' A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesperson said: "Hen harriers are a rare and precious feature of our national landscapes. 'It's why through our work with the National Wildlife Crime Unit, the Hen Harrier Taskforce is using innovative technology such as drones and specialised detection dogs to help tackle illegal persecution.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Number of hen harriers killed or missing at new high, RSPB warns
Record numbers of hen harriers have been killed or gone missing under suspicious circumstances in the last five years, according to the RSPB. The protected bird species is one of the rarest in the UK, known for their acrobatic 'skydancing' courtship display over the uplands, such as Forest of Bowland in Lancashire and the Yorkshire Dales. Categorised as red-listed in terms of conservation concern, they are considered to be at high risk of extinction because of low breeding population levels following historic declines as a result of human persecution. Between 2020 and 2024, there were 102 incidents of killing or missing birds recorded, according to a report from the RSPB released on Thursday. The majority of these incidents occurred on or near grouse moors in northern England, where grouse shooting takes place, it said. The charity is calling on the Government to introduce licensing of grouse shooting in England, as has happened in Scotland, to act as a meaningful deterrent to wildlife crime. It comes ahead of a parliamentary debate at Westminster Hall on Monday over the future of grouse shooting, triggered by a petition launched by campaign group Wild Justice that gained more than 100,000 signatures. Over the last 25 years, conservationists rolled out several initiatives to support the endangered species and the population increased between 2016 and 2023. But 2023 became the worst recorded year for persecution with 34 birds confirmed to have been killed or disappeared under suspicious circumstances, according to the RSPB. There was a 43% decline in the number of chicks fledging in 2024 when compared to 2023 figures, the report said. The number of breeding females recorded in 2024 also dropped from 50 in 2023 to 34 in 2024 – a 32% fall. The charity said the current UK population estimate represents a quarter of the potential population that their ideal habitat can support, and in England it is less – at about 10%. Despite being legally protected, multiple studies and reports have found that criminal activity is the main factor limiting the species' recovery. The RSPB report contains details of hen harriers being shot, their chicks being stamped on and one bird having its head pulled off while still alive. It also includes 112 satellite-tagged birds disappearing on or near grouse moors between 2010 and 2024. No one in England has ever been convicted of an offence, the RSPB said, adding that most crimes take place in remote areas where such activity is hard to detect and the criminal burden of proof against the perpetrators is difficult to secure. Dr James Robinson, the RSPB's director of operations, said: 'This species will not recover until the criminal activity stops, and for this to happen we need regulation of the grouse-shooting industry, specifically the introduction of a licensing system for shoots in England, so estates proven by the police and Natural England to be linked to raptor persecution would simply lose their licence to operate.' Another recent study, which investigated the illegal killing of hen harriers in association with gamebird management, showed that the survival rates of the birds in the UK are 'unusually low'. The birds live for an average of just 121 days after leaving the nest while persecution accounts for 27-41% of deaths of those aged under one year and 75% of deaths in birds aged between one and two years, the study found. It also highlighted a strong overlap between hen harrier mortality and the extent of grouse moors. Scotland's Wildlife Management and Muirburn Act, passed last year, requires all grouse shoots in the country to have a licence to operate, which can be revoked if evidence suggests a crime has been committed. Licensing is based on evidence to a civil burden of proof, meaning that it is also easier to take action when persecution has taken place. Andrew Gilruth, chief executive of the Moorland Association, disputed the RSPB report, saying the data has been assembled without independent checks and that the allegations 'poison perceptions of gamekeepers'. An Environment Department spokesperson said: 'Hen harriers are a rare and precious feature of our national landscapes. 'It's why through our work with the National Wildlife Crime Unit, the Hen Harrier Taskforce is using innovative technology such as drones and specialist detection dogs to help tackle illegal persecution.'
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Telegraph
Hen harriers ‘killed off' in record numbers
Hen harriers have been killed or gone missing under suspicious circumstances in record numbers in the past five years, the RSPB has warned. The protected bird species is one of the rarest in the UK, known for their acrobatic 'skydancing' courtship displays over the uplands, such as Forest of Bowland in Lancashire and the Yorkshire Dales. They are considered to be at high risk of extinction because of low breeding population levels following declines as a result of human persecution. Between 2020 and 2024, there were 102 incidents of killing or missing birds recorded, according to a report from the RSPB released on Thursday. The majority of these incidents occurred on or near grouse moors in northern England, where grouse shooting takes place. The charity is calling on the Government to introduce licensing of grouse shooting in England, as has happened in Scotland, to act as a meaningful deterrent to wildlife crime. It comes ahead of a parliamentary debate on Monday over the future of grouse shooting, triggered by a petition launched by the campaign group Wild Justice that gained more than 100,000 signatures. Over the past 25 years, conservationists rolled out several initiatives to support the endangered species and the population increased between 2016 and 2023. But 2023 became the worst recorded year for persecution, with 34 birds confirmed to have been killed or disappeared under suspicious circumstances, according to the RSPB. There was a 43 per cent decline in the number of chicks fledging last year when compared with 2023 figures, the report said. The number of breeding females recorded also dropped from 50 in 2023 to 34 last year – a 32 per cent fall. The charity said the current UK population estimate represented a quarter of the potential population that their ideal habitat could support, and in England it is less – at about 10 per cent. Despite the birds being legally protected, multiple studies and reports have found that criminal activity is the main factor limiting the species' recovery. The RSPB report contains details of hen harriers being shot, their chicks being stamped on and one bird having its head pulled off while still alive. It also includes 112 satellite-tagged birds disappearing on or near grouse moors between 2010 and 2024. No one in England has ever been convicted of an offence against hen harriers, the RSPB said, adding that most crimes take place in remote areas where such activity is hard to detect and the criminal burden of proof against the perpetrators is difficult to secure. 'Criminal activity' Dr James Robinson, the RSPB's director of operations, said: 'This species will not recover until the criminal activity stops, and for this to happen we need regulation of the grouse shooting industry, specifically the introduction of a licensing system for shoots in England, so estates proven by the police and Natural England to be linked to raptor persecution would simply lose their licence to operate.' Another recent study, which investigated the illegal killing of hen harriers in association with gamebird management, showed that the survival rates of the birds in the UK are 'unusually low'. The birds live for an average of 121 days after leaving the nest, while persecution accounts for 27-41 per cent of deaths of those aged under one year and 75 per cent of deaths in birds aged between one and two years, the study found. It also highlighted a strong overlap between hen harrier mortality and the extent of grouse moors. Scotland's Wildlife Management and Muirburn Act, passed last year, requires all grouse shoots in the country to have a licence to operate, which can be revoked if evidence suggests a crime has been committed. Licensing is based on evidence to a civil burden of proof, meaning that it is also easier to take action when persecution has taken place.
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Number of hen harriers killed or missing at new high, RSPB warns
Record numbers of hen harriers have been killed or gone missing under suspicious circumstances in the last five years, according to the RSPB. The protected bird species is one of the rarest in the UK, known for their acrobatic 'skydancing' courtship display over the uplands, such as Forest of Bowland in Lancashire and the Yorkshire Dales. Categorised as red-listed in terms of conservation concern, they are considered to be at high risk of extinction because of low breeding population levels following historic declines as a result of human persecution. Between 2020 and 2024, there were 102 incidents of killing or missing birds recorded, according to a report from the RSPB released on Thursday. The majority of these incidents occurred on or near grouse moors in northern England, where grouse shooting takes place, it said. The charity is calling on the Government to introduce licensing of grouse shooting in England, as has happened in Scotland, to act as a meaningful deterrent to wildlife crime. It comes ahead of a parliamentary debate at Westminster Hall on Monday over the future of grouse shooting, triggered by a petition launched by campaign group Wild Justice that gained more than 100,000 signatures. Over the last 25 years, conservationists rolled out several initiatives to support the endangered species and the population increased between 2016 and 2023. But 2023 became the worst recorded year for persecution with 34 birds confirmed to have been killed or disappeared under suspicious circumstances, according to the RSPB. There was a 43% decline in the number of chicks fledging in 2024 when compared to 2023 figures, the report said. The number of breeding females recorded in 2024 also dropped from 50 in 2023 to 34 in 2024 – a 32% fall. The charity said the current UK population estimate represents a quarter of the potential population that their ideal habitat can support, and in England it is less – at about 10%. Despite being legally protected, multiple studies and reports have found that criminal activity is the main factor limiting the species' recovery. The RSPB report contains details of hen harriers being shot, their chicks being stamped on and one bird having its head pulled off while still alive. It also includes 112 satellite-tagged birds disappearing on or near grouse moors between 2010 and 2024. No one in England has ever been convicted of an offence, the RSPB said, adding that most crimes take place in remote areas where such activity is hard to detect and the criminal burden of proof against the perpetrators is difficult to secure. Dr James Robinson, the RSPB's director of operations, said: 'This species will not recover until the criminal activity stops, and for this to happen we need regulation of the grouse-shooting industry, specifically the introduction of a licensing system for shoots in England, so estates proven by the police and Natural England to be linked to raptor persecution would simply lose their licence to operate.' Another recent study, which investigated the illegal killing of hen harriers in association with gamebird management, showed that the survival rates of the birds in the UK are 'unusually low'. The birds live for an average of just 121 days after leaving the nest while persecution accounts for 27-41% of deaths of those aged under one year and 75% of deaths in birds aged between one and two years, the study found. It also highlighted a strong overlap between hen harrier mortality and the extent of grouse moors. Scotland's Wildlife Management and Muirburn Act, passed last year, requires all grouse shoots in the country to have a licence to operate, which can be revoked if evidence suggests a crime has been committed. Licensing is based on evidence to a civil burden of proof, meaning that it is also easier to take action when persecution has taken place. Andrew Gilruth, chief executive of the Moorland Association, disputed the RSPB report, saying the data has been assembled without independent checks and that the allegations 'poison perceptions of gamekeepers'. An Environment Department spokesperson said: 'Hen harriers are a rare and precious feature of our national landscapes. 'It's why through our work with the National Wildlife Crime Unit, the Hen Harrier Taskforce is using innovative technology such as drones and specialist detection dogs to help tackle illegal persecution.'
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nature group threatens judicial review against Labour's planning bill
A legal campaign group is planning a judicial review against the UK government's new planning bill, arguing it will result in a weakening of environmental protections which were fought for and created over decades. Wild Justice is calling on the housing minister, Angela Rayner, to correct a parliamentary statement in which she told MPs the bill, which applies mainly to England and Wales, would not reduce the level of protection. Her words were echoed in a letter to the Guardian from the nature minister, Mary Creagh, who stated it did not repeal habitat or species protections or give a licence to do harm. The group sent Rayner a pre-action protocol letter on Monday calling on her to 'correct the parliamentary record' to make clear that her statement about environmental protection in the bill was not correct. If this does not take place, they will apply for a judicial review. Wild Justice has produced a legal opinion stating the bill would weaken existing environmental protections, with a key factor the removal of the requirement to be sure beyond reasonable scientific doubt that a development would not have a negative impact on a protected site. Instead developers will be allowed to pay into a nature restoration levy scheme in an attempt to mitigate any environmental harm elsewhere. There is no guarantee any environmental improvements would be in the same locality or even in the same county. Campaigners have argued it is impossible to replace an ancient woodland or a chalk stream elsewhere. Related: Planning bill would allow builders to 'pay cash to trash' nature, say UK experts The Office of Environmental Protection, the government's post-Brexit watchdog, also warns the draft of the legislation would remove safeguards for nature and put protected sites at risk. Chris Packham, co-director of Wild Justice, said: 'Good people fought long and hard to put proper wildlife protection into law. And it helped, but hasn't stopped the relentless decline of the UK's biodiversity. And now, in a time of absolute crisis, we need to save every last tree, bird, butterfly or bug. 'So how do the government think it's going to if they smash those laws up? … I really hope they rein it in and bow to the love, passion and determination of a nation of animal lovers.' Ministers argue the new bill will speed up housing developments and large infrastructure projects by allowing developers to avoid the long delays in meeting environmental obligations at the site of their project, by paying into the fund (NRF) which will be used to create environmental improvement elsewhere. But last week the government's own impact assessment revealed officials have very little evidence that nature obligations are a block to development. The bill is being debated in committee in parliament on Monday, where several amendments have been suggested. Dr Ruth Tingay, co-director of Wild Justice, said: 'It's important that the secretary of state corrects her statement on the environmental ramifications of this bill because to continue to portray it as a 'win-win' for nature and people is inaccurate and will mislead MPs into voting for something that is likely to have catastrophic consequences for protected species and habitats.' Ricardo Gama, of Leigh Day solicitors, who are representing Wild Justice, said the government had told MPs to decide whether the 'growth at all costs' agenda was worth trashing hard-fought environmental protections. 'They they can only do that if they clearly understand what the bill entails,' he said. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: 'Our planning and infrastructure bill will deliver a win-win for the economy and nature. We are introducing the nature restoration fund to unblock the delivery of much-needed homes and infrastructure, funding large scale environmental improvements across whole communities, and introducing robust protections that will create only positive outcomes for the environment.'
