The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is seeking evidence on the environmental, animal health and welfare impacts of rearing, releasing, and shooting gamebirds in England.
The shooting organisations, including SACS, have all made representations to DEFRA asking for a delay in the closure of the consultation – it was right in the middle of the busy time for those involved in shooting. This was rejected.
SACS has submitted its response to the full consultation, which is about 100 questions long.
You do not have to live in England to take part. If you have shot, beat, picked up, worked, or otherwise participated in game shooting in England, your experience matters.
Below, we have included suggestions for wording you can submit to DEFRA and add to as appropriate. We would suggest highlighting the following.
How shooting benefits you. e.g., Employment, mental wellness, joining outdoor activities with like-minded friends, fitness, appreciation of the country's wildlife, and access to cost-effective, free-range foodstuffs.
Benefits rural communities – e.g., Employment and sustaining rural communities, schools, garages, gun dealers, grain and feed merchants, and all the service industries that support communities in the countryside.
Benefits habitats and wildlife. E.g. Provides cover and food for wildlife, such as songbirds, etc where otherwise there would be none. Encourages legal control of predator species that would otherwise significantly impact ground-nesting birds such as waders.
The consultation in full can be found here Call for Evidence on Gamebird Release, Shooting and Welfare during Rearing in England - Defra Consultations
The consultation closes at 23.59 hrs on Sunday, 1 November 2026.
If you can, no matter where you stay, send the email to DEFRA before Sunday.
As always if you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to phone the office.