Rural organisations call for more time and clearer questions in Defra gamebird consultation
Press ReleaseSix rural organisations have jointly written to the UK Government calling for an extension to Defra’s call for evidence on gamebird release - as well as clarifications to the process to ensure those directly involved in land management can contribute fully.
In the letter to Defra Minister Baroness Hayman of Ullock, the organisations warn that the timing and complexity of the consultation exercise risks excluding evidence from gamekeepers, estate staff and shoot managers who are responsible for managing habitats, monitoring wildlife and delivering conservation on the ground.
The letter has been signed by Scottish Land & Estates, the Country Land & Business Association, the Moorland Association, the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, the Scottish Association of Country Sports and Scotland’s Regional Moorland Groups.
Defra’s call for evidence gamebird release, shooting and welfare during rearing opened on September 4 and is due to close on November 1. This falls during one of the busiest periods of the shooting season, severely limiting practitioners’ capacity to prepare detailed submissions.
The organisations have asked the Minister to extend the deadline to 30 April 2027, allowing complete records from the 2026/27 season to be collated and assessed. If that cannot be agreed, they propose an extension to 28 February 2027, with supplementary evidence accepted until the end of April.
The letter also raises concerns about questions which members report are ambiguous, imprecise or appear to prejudge the evidence. It calls for clearer guidance on which questions individual practitioners should answer, transparent criteria for assessing operational records and practical experience alongside published research, and a simpler questionnaire supported by a clear route for direct submissions.
A spokesperson on behalf of the six organisations said: “We recognise the Government’s aim of understanding the environmental, social and welfare implications of gamebird rearing, release and shooting. Those who work with gamebirds and manage their habitats have evidence and experience that can make a valuable contribution to that process.
“However, asking gamekeepers, estate staff and shoot managers to complete a complex questionnaire during one of their busiest periods creates a significant barrier to participation. There is a real risk that Defra will miss evidence from the very people responsible for much of the day-to-day work being examined.
“Extending the deadline would give practitioners a realistic opportunity to respond and allow records from the full 2026/27 season to be brought together. That would provide a fuller picture of current practice and improve the evidence available to inform future decisions.
“The questions also need to be clear and neutral, with straightforward guidance on where practitioners should contribute and how their records and experience will be assessed. People should be able to submit relevant evidence directly, through a process they can understand and navigate.
“Our organisations are ready to work constructively with Defra to improve the process and support participation. We have asked the Minister for an urgent response before the current deadline so that everyone considering a submission has certainty about the arrangements.”
ENDS
The joint letter, dated October 12, 2026, is addressed to Baroness Hayman of Ullock, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at Defra. A copy of the letter can be viewed here.
The signatories are:
- Sarah-Jane Laing, Chief Executive, Scottish Land & Estates
- Isabella Murfin, Chief Executive Officer, Country Land & Business Association
- Andrew Gilruth, Chief Executive, Moorland Association
- Alex Hogg, Chairman, Scottish Gamekeepers Association
- Fraser Lamb, Management Committee, Scottish Association of Country Sports
- Mark Ewart, National Engagement Manager, Scotland’s Regional Moorland Groups