Conor O'Gorman

It is a matter of fact. Decision making on laws regarding quarry species in England are for the UK government to decide on. Decision making on laws regarding quarry species in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are a devolved matter for the Welsh, Scottish and NI govts to determine, in consultation with residents in each of those countries.

A government response has been given to the petition as follows: The Government has no plans to ban driven grouse shooting. It recognises well-managed grouse shooting can be an important part of a local rural economy, providing direct and indirect employment. This is a devolved matter. The Government appreciates that many people hold strong views on the issue of driven grouse shooting. The Government considers that well-managed shooting activities can bring benefits to the rural economy and can be beneficial for wildlife and habitat conservation. We will continue work to ensure a sustainable, mutually beneficial relationship between shooting and conservation. The Government has no plans to ban grouse shooting. It is of course vital that wildlife and habitats are protected and the law is respected by those involved in the grouse shooting industry. Wild birds of prey, for example, are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. There is evidence from Ewing et al (2023) and others to suggest a link between crimes against birds of prey and grouse shooting. The Government supports the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) – which helps prevent and detect crimes against wildlife by obtaining and disseminating intelligence and directly assisting law enforcers in their investigations – and the Hen Harrier Task Force – which is led by the NWCU and aims to detect, deter, and disrupt offenders, in particular those persecuting rare hen harriers – by using technology and improving partnership working. Where wild birds of prey or any non-target species of wildlife are killed illegally the full force of the law should apply to proven perpetrators of the crime. All forms of predator management to protect grouse must be undertaken within the law, including compliance with animal welfare legislation. Grouse shooting takes place in upland areas, which are important for a range of things including, food, fibre, water regulation, carbon storage, biodiversity and recreational opportunities. UK uplands have 75 per cent of the world’s remaining heather moorland and about 13 per cent of the world’s blanket bog. Upland catchments provide 70 per cent of the UK’s drinking water. The Government is committed to delivering positive environmental and economic benefits and creating a more sustainable future for the English uplands, including preserving and restoring peatlands. Healthy, active peat provides good habitat for grouse as well as numerous environmental benefits. Through the Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme, the Government is continuing to invest millions of pounds in peatland restoration, to aid climate change mitigation and nature recovery. The Government’s new and improved Countryside Stewardship offer will be available this summer. This scheme will encourage land managers to enter into agreements to enhance and protect the natural environment, including upland peatland habitats. https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/700036

BASC update: https://basc.org.uk/rural-livelihoods-at-risk-due-to-firearms-fees-hike-says-basc/

Not likely as things stand. The government claims the fee increase will fund system improvements, but this is misleading. Firearms licensing fees are paid into general police budgets and are not ringfenced for the licensing system. Successive governments have failed to guarantee that licensing fees will go into the system and the government has no power to enforce its wishes in matters of operational independence, such as police budgeting. More on BASC's initial response to the announcement is here: https://basc.org.uk/basc-condemns-proposed-firearms-fees-hike-as-a-threat-to-public-safety/ More updates will follow.

Correct. Direct link here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/circular-0012025-firearms-variation-of-fees-order-2025/circular-0012025-firearms-variation-of-fees-order-2025

BASC has condemned the government’s decision to increase firearms licensing fees in England, Scotland and Wales without fixing the inefficiencies undermining the current system. https://basc.org.uk/basc-condemns-proposed-firearms-fees-hike-as-a-threat-to-public-safety/ Written statement by Policing Minister: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2025-01-15/hcws366 New fees that are due to come into force on 5 February 2025: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/circular-0012025-firearms-variation-of-fees-order-2025/circular-0012025-firearms-variation-of-fees-order-2025

Yes, I think they were cross checked like that and for live quarry usage against live quarry shooting data. The full background doc drills into a lot of detail. There are estimated figures in there on muzzle loading also from MLAGB. Background document to the Agency Opinion on the Proposal for a restriction - Lead

In BASC's submission to the final HSE consultation (Dec 2023) the number of shotgun cartridges estimated to be used annually for live quarry shooting included 12 bore (61.8 million), 16 bore (1.7 million), 20 bore (2.5 million) and .410 (2.5 million). Those estimates were taken from a BSSC submission to an earlier HSE call for evidence.

The Wild Justice petition calling on the government to ban driven grouse shooting is nearing the halfway mark. BASC has published an updated infographic on the benefits of grouse shooting for anyone wishing to use some key stats when contacting MPs. See webpage below for more information. https://basc.org.uk/share-the-benefits-of-grouse-shooting/

Yes, it has been going on a long time, since 2016, and I think the impasse will continue to be the case until medical involvement in firearms licensing is worked into GP contracts.

To be fair you are asking lots of different questions and I think you are best talking to an advisor at BASC - are you a BASC member?

I have had a quick look and can't find that reference I made to records from birth for first grants in the non-statutory and statutory guidance docs - I will check with the firearms team next week. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/firearms-law-guidance-to-the-police-2012 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/63e284a78fa8f50e89351509/Revised_Firearms_Licensing_Statutory_Guidance_Feb_2023.pdf

I think other PW members have answered your questions adequately. However, if you feel anything is missing and need legal advice around keeping and killing kept domestic ducks and you are a BASC member please email me at conor.ogorman@basc.org.uk

Due to the widespread severe weather, BASC is calling for people who shoot in Scotland to exercise restraint, wherever it is needed, in the shooting of ducks, geese and waders including reared mallard. Under criteria agreed between BASC and the relevant government agencies today, 10 January, has been classified as the seventh consecutive day of severe conditions in many parts of Scotland. Areas particularly affected are Aberdeenshire, Moray and the Highlands. An alert has been issued according to procedures for managing the shooting of waterfowl in adverse weather. The decision to show restraint in shooting should be made by individuals and be based on local observations of the condition of the birds and their habitats. Further guidance is available here on our website. There is currently no overall call for voluntary restraint in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but it should still be applied where feeding and roosting are affected by snow and ice. If the freezing conditions were to persist, then it is likely that decisions will be taken by the Scottish government to impose a statutory suspension of waterfowl shooting, at the earliest on 18 January, which would last for up to 14 days. This should be reviewed after seven days and could be lifted if conditions improve. Although the forecast for much of Scotland predicts a thaw over the coming weekend, please continue to monitor our website for updates should freezing conditions return. In all cases, please show consideration and exercise restraint where appropriate in areas still affected by severe weather.

WWT et al. are late to the party with this campaign as the three year HSE review is closed. Responses from people that shoot made up the majority of the 11,000 submissions the HSE received over the last 3 years and that is reflected in many of the recommendations the HSE has submitted to government.