Shropshire Star

Pheasant shoot ban for Welsh National Forests

Pheasant shoots are to be banned in Welsh National Forests, including one near Oswestry.

Published

Natural Resources Wales, which looks after public land in Wales, leases three pieces of woodland for pheasant shooting, Bank Wood and Maesmawr Big Wood in Powys and Cwmgwnen near Oswestry.

But at a meeting of the organisation on Thursday members voted to ban the practice on its land in the future, when the expiry of leases run out.

Bethan Collins, for the League Against Cruel Sports in Wales said: "The Welsh Government has made it clear that rearing, releasing and shooting ‘game’ birds for sport on public land – including the Natural Resources Wales estate – is not acceptable in any terms."

Fiona Pereira, Campaigns Manager at Animal Aid, said that a 12,700-strong petition had called on NRW to bring an end to shooting.

"National Resources Wales now has the opportunity to use that land for positive, educational, conservation and leisure activities that are inclusive and that are kind to animals and to the environment. We hope that NRW will become a role model to other public bodies that also want to bring about an end to the shooting of birds.

"We'd like to thank everyone who helped the campaign - and brought about a victory for game birds."

The current leases will not be renewed when they expire on 1 March 2019.

Public consultation over the decision led to 4,700 responses with 76 per cent wanting a ban on shooting birds on NRW land.