An overseas perspective on quarry species reviews

BASC’s wildfowling adviser, Chris Wright, looks at recent developments in Ireland and Poland in the context of Defra’s bird quarry species consultation that closes on 17 May.

Bird quarry lists are being reviewed in England, Wales and Scotland, with potential bans or reduced shooting seasons for pochard, European white-fronted goose, goldeneye, pintail, common snipe, woodcock, coot and golden plover.

BASC supports a self-regulatory approach and is opposed to all the restriction proposals.

Please click here to have your say by 17 May.

There have been similar reviews in Ireland and Poland so let’s look at what’s happened.

Republic of Ireland

In March 2023, the Irish government initiated a review of its bird quarry list, prompted by wider EU pressure to reassess huntable species under the EU Birds Directive.

The review concluded in September 2023 and greater scaup, pochard, goldeneye, and pintail were removed from the Irish quarry list.

The speed of the process, moving from review to implementation within months led to criticism from those who represent shooting interests in Ireland that there was inadequate consultation with stakeholders.

In December 2023, a judicial review was initiated in the Irish High Court by the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC), challenging the Minister’s decision to remove the species from the quarry list.

With support from the European Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FACE) the NARGC argued that the decision was flawed, disproportionate, and based on inadequate or unreliable scientific evidence, and further contended that there was a failure to properly consider both conservation data and stakeholder interests. Permission to bring the case was granted by the High Court, allowing the challenge to proceed.

Three years later, we await a final High Court verdict on the NARGC challenge.

Poland

In 2025, the Polish government reviewed its bird quarry list and subsequently removed tufted duck, common pochard, coot, woodcock, and hazel grouse as huntable species.

This decision triggered a sharp response from FACE, which, alongside the Polish Hunting Association (PZŁ), have formally challenged the scientific basis of the move.

FACE has argued that the Polish government relied on restricted national data rather than the broader flyway-level population assessments required for migratory species, claiming that several of the delisted birds maintain stable or increasing populations across the EU.

Beyond the data disputes, FACE has highlighted potential breaches of international standards on consultation protocols and the principle of “wise use” as a principle of conservation.

As per the challenge in Ireland, the PZŁ and FACE contend that the abrupt removal of species ignores the vital role hunting clubs play in habitat management and creates a “protectionist” model that lacks the necessary legal and scientific rigour.

Time to act

In Ireland and Poland, EU-driven policy developments have raised important concerns about rushed decision making and a lack of meaningful stakeholder engagement.

Back home, we have an opportunity to respond to a live consultation on proposed changes to the GB quarry lists – FACE is giving us support on this – and the more of us that take a few minutes to get involved the stronger our influence will be on a pragmatic outcome.

Please click here to have your say by 17 May

Chris Wright

Lancashire born and bred, Chris is BASC’s wildfowling advisor. Now calling Monmouthshire home, Chris exemplifies an unyielding interest and dedication to field sports, with a particular focus on the exhilarating pursuit of wildfowl along the nation’s coastline.