DEFRA consultation - Protecting wild birds
Consultation on Amending the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which allows certain species of wild birds to be killed or taken outside of their close seasons
You may know that DEFRA have published a consultation seeking views on proposed changes to Part 1, Schedule 2 (2.1) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (WCA). Schedule 2.1 sets out which wild bird species may be killed or taken outside the “close season”.
The consultation document can be found here.
Improving protection for huntable wild birds - GOV.UK
The close season is the time of year when birds are protected to support breeding and migration, and it varies by species. Schedule 2.1 currently lists 19 species of wild birds in England and Wales and 23 species in Scotland, mainly ducks, geese and wading birds.
Although all wild birds are protected under the Act, Schedule 2.1 provides limited exemptions that allow these listed species to be shot outside the close season, mainly for recreational shooting and harvesting.
The consultation is proposing changes to the list of species under Schedule 2.1 of the WCA, as it applies in England, Scotland and Wales, to provide greater protection for certain species currently listed. The affected species would include:
European white fronted goose
Goldeneye
Pintail
Common Snipe
Woodcock
Woodpigeon (although this species would remain on the general licence)
Coot
Golden plover
The proposed changes would directly affect anybody who participates in the shooting of any of the species listed above.
The full rationale document, comprising 38 pages, can be found here. It’s important that you read this.
wca-sch-2-consultation-doc_final_english3pdf
Unfortunately, we currently live in a world which is driven by political dogma and the current UK Government and devolved administrations seem hell-bent on attacking shooting sports at every opportunity.
Not that long ago, there would be active consultation with the country sports membership organisations before such consultations were launched, to ensure that the understanding of both sides was reflected in the questions put. These days are past, however, perhaps one day they will return. In the meantime, the only opportunity to have your voice heard is via the consultation and the more people who respond, the greater the volume of noise will attract the attention of Ministers. Remember, this Government has a large majority. It can act at will. However, that majority, whilst maybe a mile wide, is only an inch thick. The politicians will already have an eye on the next election, and every vote will count. This is not a time to sit on your hands. This is the time to have your voice heard.
We will be providing advice soon on how to respond to this consultation. Please mark 3 May in your diary as we will publish our advice then.
The consultation period will commence on 23 March 2026 and will remain open for responses for 8 weeks. The consultation period will close at 23:59 on 17 May 2026