Defra’s Call for Evidence on gamebirds: what exactly is it asking for, and how can you help?

I hope by now that blog readers are aware of Defra’s Call for Evidence on gamebird rearing, releasing and shooting.

The Call for Evidence was launched in September 2026, and closes on 1st November 2026. Its purpose is to collect evidence (rather than opinions) on the impacts of the gamebird shooting industry, to help inform future Government policy.

It covers the rearing, release and shooting of ~60 million Pheasants, Red-legged Partridges and Mallards, as well as the ‘management’ associated with Red Grouse shooting, and anyone can respond.

Lots of conservation organisations will be making formal submissions, based on scientific evidence, but it’s equally important that individuals respond with their personal experiences too.

Wild Justice has published a blog that explains what the Call for Evidence is about, what sort of evidence might be useful, and why it’s important to respond.

The Pheasant-shooting season opened yesterday, a month after the Red-legged Partridge shooting season opened on 1st September and seven weeks after the Red Grouse shooting season opened on 12 August.

So this weekend, whilst the shooters are out casually and mindlessly killing and wounding thousands of sentient birds for no reason other than their own entertainment, it’d be great if you could find some time to sit down and write to Defra about your own experience, evidence or information (see the Wild Justice blog for ideas of the types of experience that will be useful).

Thank you.