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The new general licence for the release of gamebirds on protected sites is now in force and it is vital that land managers study the conditions
Defra has published its new and long-awaited general licence (GL43), to cover the releasing of gamebirds on European protected sites.
These protected sites are Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Areas (SPA), Ramsar wetlands and potential SPAs and SACs or proposed Ramsar wetlands. The potential or proposed sites are every bit as important as those with an existing designation.
The new GL43 licence was being discussed between Defra, Natural England and stakeholders last autumn. However, by the time they had agreed on a framework, it was too late in the season to finalise and introduce it as birds had already been released.
This Stage 1 report reviews the impact of consents for energy Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) on Special Protection Areas (SPAs) - protected sites for birds.
996 farmers have this week shared nearly half a million euro in Hen Harrier Project bonus payments.
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Pippa Hackett has welcomed the news, saying that the payments are “in recognition of these farmers’ success in delivering habitats for hen harriers and other wildlife”.
The payments, which total €483,927, are paid under the €25 million hen harrier programme funded by Minister Hackett’s department under the Rural Development Programme.
Fires in upland areas
The minister said that in a week “dominated by reports of fires in our upland areas, it is a relief to get some good news”.