An e-petition calling for the licensing of grouse moors and gamekeepers in the English uplands has reached a significant 10,000 signatures, thus triggering a requirement for the Westminster government to provide an official response.
The petition (see here) was launched almost a year ago by conservation ornithologist John Armitage and it will expire next week on 27th Feb. It was created in response to the continuing illegal persecution of raptors on English grouse moors, particularly the now virtual absence of breeding hen harriers, and reflects a growing frustration that the authorities are simply not doing enough (anything?) to combat the problem.
Although the target was 100,000 signatures (in order to qualify for a potential [but not guaranteed] parliamentary debate), 10,000 signatures means an automatic guarantee of a formal governmental response. This is good news as it keeps the issue ‘alive’ and even if 100,000 signatures had been secured, it might have built up false expectations, especially considering the government’s response to the 300,000+ signature petition calling for a halt to last year’s badger cull – the govt simply ignored all those voices (probably at their peril come the next general election).
In theory this particular petition doesn’t apply to Scotland, although we know that many folk in Scotland did sign it. We have our own lobbying efforts in place, with more and more organisations calling on the Holyrood government to implement a licensing system for driven grouse moors and the gamekeepers that work on them (e.g. see here and here). Our aim is the same as the petitioners in England, and given that many of our raptor species fly back and forth across the political boundary, licensing in England is just as important as it is in Scotland.
Well done, John Armitage, and the thousands of people who were prepared to stand up with him and say ‘enough’.
Hen Harrier photo by Gordon Langsbury
Raptor Persecution UK 
Thanks RPS for all your support and to the many in Scotland who have signed the petition and given me encouragement. Very much appreciated. The job now begins!! John.
Yes, well done John – mine was one of the 10,000 signatories.
Well done, John!
A tenth of the targeted signatures!? Some wouldn’t class this as a huge success! What about the thousands of people that we keep hearing about that are queing up to plough money into the countryside if only the driven shoots and bad Gamekeepers would disappear!? U would think all them would have at least signed it!
So what is it you want Grossman? No birds of prey or diversity? Just as long as you do your masters bidding ehh? And what does he really care about the likes of you? Have a think…
Unfortunately many people are apathetic when it comes to voting, you only have to see the poor turnout for elections for confirmation of that.
Grouseman ” bad Gamekeepers” = Criminals.
I totally agree! A local gamekeeper killed our 2 year old Dalmatian with a rabbit laced with illegally, locally obtained Carbofuran intended for birds of prey. A case was taken and the gamekeeper prosecuted and fined the maximum. Only £400 but it did not give our beautiful friend her life back. Carbofuran is so toxic that even a sniff is lethal, burning the victim up from the inside in less than ten minutes. A terrible way for any creature to die. For months I dreamed of staking that gamekeeper out and ramming his poison down his throat!
Bad Gamekeepers certainly = criminals!
These gamekeepers who use poison should be locked up, they are a danger to the general public. £400.00 fine is totally pathetic.
Well done John, a few years ago there were only a few hundred aware of the extent of persecution happening in our countryside by the selfish minority. the tide is turning, I,d sell your gun now grouseman while you might still get a good price for it. the selfish minority wont give up the persecution no matter what happens, they still think their untouchable
John, well done, I signed up too. Too many bad memories in the dark Peak!
Amazing to see the Barn owl petition now has 102,000 https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/To_Mike_Penning_MP_and_the_Health_and_Safety_Executive_Save_Britains_Barn_Owls/?bkUKbdb&v=36302
There is another petition regarding the banning of multi-traps & Larsen traps which as we all know trap many birds of prey. http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/49638 Please spread far & wide. Thank you