DEFRA reviews release of game birds following legal challenge

The Guardian reports that the Government has agreed to a review of the annual release of 50 million non-native game birds into the countryside after campaigners protested the lack of environmental assessment

Campaign group Wild Justice argued that the ‘massive and unregulated’ increase in pheasants and red-legged partridges contravened the EU habitats directive.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has confirmed there will be a review of the way game birds are released on or near protected areas such as special areas of conservation in England.

The review will not affect this years’ shooting season. 

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→ The Guardian - Defra to review release of game birds after legal threat