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Pheasant shooting on Welsh public land to end
A poll found that 75 per cent of the Welsh public believe that shooting birds should be made illegal.
Outcome reflects strong opposition to the practice

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has announced that it is to bring an end to pheasant shooting on Welsh public land.

In a statement, the Government-sponsored body said it ‘will not renew leases on its land for pheasant shooting rights when they come to an end in March 2019 as part of its final position statement on the use of firearms on land it manages.’

“We want to make the most of the land we manage for the people, economy and environment in Wales,” said NRW’s acting chair Madeleine Havard. “As a land manager, this means considering how best to make sure that we tackle the ongoing decline in our wildlife while conserving rare animals and habitats."

The decision follows a three-year campaign by Animal Aid and the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS), supported by more than 12,500 members of the public.

Earlier this year, Welsh environment minister Hannah Blythyn wrote to NRW stating how the administration does not support rearing, releasing and shooting game birds for sport on public land. Furthermore, a poll by the LACS in April found that 75 per cent of the Welsh public believe that shooting birds should be made illegal.

Welcoming the move, LACS senior public affairs officer Bethan Collins said: “Natural Resources Wales is to be commended in the strongest terms for ensuring pheasant shooting in the Welsh national forest is being brought to an end. This outcome reflects strong opposition to the practice from the Welsh Government, over 75 per cent of the public who oppose shooting birds for sport and an urgent need to reverse damage to wildlife and the environment on the public estate.

Animal Aid campaigns manager Fiona Pereira said: “We are delighted that NRW has banned the cruel shooting of pheasants on public land. The campaign has shown that the vast majority of people strongly oppose the killing of animals for “sport” and want to see an end to it.

“NRW can now use that land for positive activities that are kind to animals and to the environment, and, importantly, set an example for other public bodies that also want to bring about an end to the shooting of birds.”

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.