MP urges gamekeepers to have their say on plans for gamebird restrictions

A Shropshire MP is urging farmers, gamekeepers, and rural businesses in the county to respond to the government's ‘Call for Evidence’ on game-bird rearing, release, and shooting in England.

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The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has launched a Call for Evidence on what it has called the "environmental, animal health, and welfare impacts of gamebird rearing, release, and shooting" in England.

This follows the publication of the Animal Welfare Strategy last December.

Among other things, the government said it is committed to reconsidering existing protections for game-birds as part of a wider review into every aspect of gamekeeping in England.

The government added that it is seeking to gather evidence covering the effect on "wildlife and protected habitats, the spread of disease, animal welfare, wildlife crime and the use of natural resources."

However, South Shropshire MP, Stuart Anderson, said he fears any changes could impact the UK gamebird industry, with South Shropshire home to more than 1,590 businesses in the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector.

He has asked the Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle MP to confirm how the Department will ensure rural stakeholders are fully engaged throughout this review, and how the evidence will be assessed to avoid disproportionate impacts on rural jobs and conservation work and what assessment has been made of the economic and environmental contribution of game shooting to rural communities.

The MP said: “Gamekeepers play a valuable role in protecting our countryside and generating income for rural communities like South Shropshire by supporting jobs, farms, and businesses. The sector contributes billions of pounds to the UK economy each year and supports tens of thousands of jobs.

“The sector also delivers crucial land management work that benefits our countryside by contributing millions of work days to vital conservation projects. So, I am greatly concerned that the government looks set to introduce new restrictions on these activities without adequate consultation with or notice given to the sector.

“I am urging farmers, gamekeepers, and rural businesses across South Shropshire to respond to the Call for Evidence that is open until November 1. As the government looks set to consider every aspect of gamekeeping in England, it is imperative that the voice of those living and working in the countryside is heard loud and clear in this review."

The Call for Evidence runs until Thursday 1st November 2026. It can be found at www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/gamebird-release-shooting-and-welfare-during-rearing-in-england-call-for-evidence