Consultation outcome

Gamebird release interim licence

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 23 February 2021
• Last updated: 12 May 2021 — See all updates

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

Applies to England

This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Summary of responses

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Detail of outcome

From 31 May 2021, the release of the common pheasant and red-legged partridge will be prohibited on European Sites and within a 500 metre buffer zone around these sites except under a licence. If you plan to release these species within these areas you must comply with the conditions of general licence GL43.

Both species have been added to Part 1, Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Detail of feedback received

We received 2,192 responses to this consultation.

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Original consultation

Summary

Seeking views on the proposed interim general licence for the release of pheasants and red-legged partridges on European Protected Sites in England.

This consultation was held on another website.

This consultation ran from
9:30am on 23 February 2021 to 11:45pm on 15 March 2021

Consultation description

We want to know what you think about our plans to add the common pheasant and red-legged partridge to Part 1, Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This addition prohibits their releases on European Protected Sites and within a 500 metre buffer zone around them except under a licence.

We would like to know if you think the proposed licence conditions would be efficient and proportionate in mitigating against damage by gamebirds to the sites. We also want to know if there are any alternative measures that could be implemented prior to the 2021 shooting season.

Published 23 February 2021
Last updated 12 May 2021 + show all updates

1. 12 May 2021

   Added the summary of responses.

2. 23 February 2021

   First published.