› The shooting sector has received confirmation from Defra that GL43 will be issued within the next few weeks, but that they do not plan to reissue GL45 for the remainder of this year.
GL43 is the general licence which permits the release of pheasants and red-legged partridges on or within 500m of a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), while GL45 applies to the release of these gamebirds on or within 500m of Special Protection Areas (SPAs).
The government claims that it will not be renewing GL45 due to the current risk levels of avian influenza. Shoots that wish to release birds in these areas will be forced to apply for an individual licence from Natural England, Defra has said.
This will dramatically increase the bureaucratic burden for shoots that, in previous years under GL45, would simply have had to adhere to the conditions stipulated by the general licence with no paperwork necessary.
Director of conservation, policy, and uplands for the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO), John Clarke, told GM: “After the GL43 debacle of 2023, the NGO ensured that we engaged with the Defra gamebird licensing team at every stage, and we had recently written to the Minister responsible for the issuing of these licences asking why there was a delay in issuing the two general licences.
“This makes it even more frustrating that Defra has made the decision not to license GL45 this year. Individuals operating on or near SPAs will have to apply for individual licences, which once again puts businesses in jeopardy and risks repercussions for both employment and the wider rural economy.
“Shooting is a key driver of rural economic growth, and delays and restrictions are not helpful in already struggling rural communities.”
