“The 12th is glorious for conservation”, according to the Countryside Alliance. In a remarkable and desperate piece of journalism, their website heralds new survey results collected by the Moorland Association:
“Everyone who loves country sports loves a good statistic: shooting contributes £1.6bn to the economy; 4 million people go angling every year; 57% of people believe the Hunting Act is not working. Now, to celebrate its 25th anniversary, the Moorland Association has carried out a survey that shows how much time and money is put into shooting and conservation in upland areas, and there are plenty of positive statistics to enjoy.
Where moorland has been managed for grouse shooting, everything flourishes – the landscapes, the people and the economy. An uplands future based on shooting’s successful management model, with responsibility lying with those who already manage the land is common sense and we hope the healthy snapshot described by the Moorland Association’s survey can continue for many decades to come. Grouse moors are a true conservation success story, and something glorious to be celebrated.”
Hmm. Given they like statistics so much, how about this one, which they conveniently ‘forgot’ to include:
IN SCOTLAND, 85% OF PEOPLE CONVICTED FOR RAPTOR PERSECUTION CRIMES FROM 2003-2008 WERE GAMEKEEPERS.
Not what I’d call “glorious for conservation”.
For the full article on the Countryside Alliance website: http://www.countryside-alliance.org.uk/shooting-campaigns/shooting-views/-the-12th-is-glorious-for-conservation/
Figures from the latest RSPB report of illegal raptor persecution:
Raptor Persecution UK 