This morning, Wild Justice’s petition calling for a ban on driven grouse shooting passed 100,000 signatures, which means the Westminster Government will now consider it for a debate in Westminster Hall.
There are loads of reasons why driven grouse shooting should be banned, but one of the main ones is the ongoing illegal persecution of birds of prey that is directly linked to this filthy so-called ‘sport’.
Raptors have been legally protected in the UK, at least on paper, since 1954, and yet 71 years later, criminal gamekeepers continue to shoot, trap, poison, stamp on, pull the heads off, pull the wings off, pull the legs off species such as golden eagles, red kites, hen harriers, white-tailed eagles, buzzards, peregrines, short-eared owls, goshawks etc because they’re perceived as a threat to the hundreds of thousands of red grouse that their paying clients want to shoot for a bit of a laugh. Wild Justice chose a few case studies to highlight these crimes as part of the campaign and these were well-received on social media. For those who are not on social media you can watch the eight short videos on YouTube here.
Many, many thanks to all this blog’s readers who supported the campaign, by not only signing the petition, but also by sharing it with others.
The petition remains open until 22 May 2025.
We await a decision on if/when a debate will happen.
Raptor Persecution UK 
I want this to happen so much, but I’m afraid there is too much money involved. Also think people in high places, again, are also involved in shooting. But you never know 🤞
Thank you, Ruth, Mark and Chris for setting up this much-needed, enlightened petition – let’s hope in the time that’s left many more signatures will create even more impact among politicians.
It had looked as though the petition was dragging its feet a bit but a recent surge in activity has seen it reach the target with time to spare.
Looking forward to the debate. This time it ought not to be hi-jacked by the shooting fraternity and their supporters.
Very well done to all involved at WJ.
Well said and I fully agree with your summary.
Personally, I do not think our Parliamentarians are of sufficient quality to be able to debate this issue appropriately.
I hope I am wrong but if the original appalling debate was anything to go by we need to see this new Labour Government distancing themselves from the landed establishment. I am not at all hopeful.
Outstanding work – as ever. Thank you so much for everything you all do.
This is great news, I really hope this gets the evidence based debate it deserves and it leads to actions that ban or severely restrict these practices. These barbaric practices have absolutely zero benefit to the majority of people who live and pay taxes in this country, the damage they do to local wildlife is immense. There is no justification in allowing these practices to continue. If those in power analyse this based on evidence then it will be banned, if they base it on what rich well connected people who practice these barbaric sports say, then they will ignore what the majority want. I hope they ban it but the level of trust I have in politicians doing the right thing is basically zero. So I won’t hold my breath.
Brilliant! So pleased this is going to be in the limelight again. Hopefully science and public opinion will be taken seriously by the government this time. It’s time our grandchildrens’ Wildlife inheritance was given proper protection. Best of luck with the next stage to all involved.
[Ed: thanks, Keith, I’m aware of it but for strategic reasons I’m not promoting it]
This is great news, although obviously it’s only the first step on a long road. Imo the next thing people need to do is write to their MP asking them to attend the debate, if there is one, and speak in favour of banning driven grouse shooting. It would be good if Wild Justice provides a letter with links to the science about the environmental damage caused by grouse shooting that people can use and add to amend if they want to.
Long term what is needed is for some Labour MPs to become passionate about this and keep up pressure on the government to do something meaningful rather than just coming out with empty promises and nice sounding statements.
I’ll second that!
You have a weak pathetic woke king who goes shootingand a bunch of communists pretending to have concerns for the countryside who in truth care nothing about animals birds or even children. This will be another farcical whitewash that achieves zero as long as any of those hold the reins
Well done!
Yes well done everyone watch this space but I agree with country born n bred the labour government need to step up but I’m not holding my breath . Trying to be positive but this country has broke my spirits.
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OT, posted to reach you –
Pheasants, ticks, Lyme Disease…
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ele.70115