British bird quarry species review

The online consultation response form is 23 pages long and BASC recommends that people instead email their feedback to the consultation to WildlifeManagementAndCrime@defra.gov.uk by 17 May.

If you choose to email your response, please start by stating your name, that you are responding as a member of the public, and state whether you would like your response to be confidential or not.

To strengthen the impact of your response please then outline your shooting and conservation interests in the countries relevant to you and then explain why you have concerns about one or more of the proposals impacting you.

You might also state your support for the proposal to add woodpigeon to the quarry list and to suggest adding other species to the quarry list. We have suggested recommendations below.

We appreciate that there are diverse views on this topic and our suggested response for you to consider using is as follows:

Restriction proposals

My response is NO to questions 4A1 to 4F5 and questions 5A1 to 6.2. I do not support the proposed removal of these species from the quarry lists and I do not support the proposed shortening of the open seasons.

The reason I do not support these proposals is because I participate in shooting and I am proud to already self-regulate. I take what I need, not what I can; I eat what I shoot; and I support the recommendations in BASC’s sustainable shooting code of practice.

I recommend that Defra (for England), the Welsh government and Scottish government endorse BASC’s sustainable shooting code of practice rather than pursuing unnecessary and unevidenced restrictions.

Woodpigeon proposal

My response is YES to question 4G1. I support the proposal to create an open season for woodpigeon.

I would welcome the opportunity to harvest woodpigeon as a sustainable source of food during a recognised open season, while maintaining the ability to carry out all control methods all year round for woodpigeon under the relevant general licences for purposes such as prevention of serious damage to crops, fruits and vegetables, foodstuffs for livestock etc.

Species to add to the quarry lists

My response to question 6.3 inviting suggestions on adding other species to the quarry lists, is to create open seasons for Brent goose, Carrion crow, Cormorant, Egyptian goose, Goosander, Great black-backed gull, Herring gull, Jack snipe, Jackdaw, Jay, Lesser black-backed gull, Magpie, Mandarin duck, Monk parakeet, Raven, Ring-necked parakeet, Ruddy duck and Stock dove. The evidence supporting this is being provided by BASC.