CLA calls for rural voices to have fair hearing in gamebird consultation

The people with the most direct knowledge of gamebird management must have a meaningful opportunity to shape the policies that affect them. That is why the CLA has joined five other rural organisations in urging the UK Government to improve Defra’s call for evidence on gamebird release, shooting and welfare during rearing in England.

In a joint letter to Defra Minister Baroness Hayman of Ullock, we warn that the current timetable and the complexity of the consultation risks shutting out exactly what evidence is needed: the first-hand experience of gamekeepers, estate staff and shoot managers who manage habitats, monitor wildlife and deliver conservation on the ground.

Defra’s call for evidence opened on Friday 4 September and is due to close on Sunday 1 November. That window falls during one of the busiest periods of the shooting season, when those best placed to respond are focused on demanding operational work.

A complex call for evidence at this point in the calendar creates a serious barrier to participation. Without a more realistic timetable, Defra risks receiving an incomplete picture and missing valuable records from the people responsible for much of the day-to-day activity under review.

Alongside Scottish Land & Estates, the Moorland Association, the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, the Scottish Association of Country Sports and Scotland’s Regional Moorland Groups, the CLA is asking the minister to:

• Extend the response deadline to 30 April 2027, allowing complete records from the 2026/27 season to be collated and assessed
• If that is not possible, extend the deadline to 28 February 2027 and accept supplementary evidence until the end of April
• Clarify which questions individual practitioners are expected to answer
• Explain transparently how operational records and practical experience will be assessed alongside published research
• Simplify the questionnaire and provide a clear route for submitting relevant evidence directly

The CLA supports a constructive, evidence-led discussion about the environmental, social and welfare implications of gamebird rearing, release and shooting. Our members and the wider rural community hold detailed knowledge that can strengthen that discussion, but the process must be clear, neutral and accessible.

Giving practitioners more time would enable them to bring together records from the full season, resulting in a stronger evidence base and better-informed decisions. Clearer questions would also help respondents understand where their expertise is most relevant and give them confidence that practical evidence will receive proper consideration.

If you rear or release gamebirds, run or support a shoot, manage an estate, undertake habitat or wildlife work, or are otherwise affected by these issues, we encourage you to respond to Defra’s call for evidence without waiting for the outcome of this letter.

First-hand records and practical examples can help ensure future decisions reflect what happens on the ground, so follow this link to have your say in the call for evidence.