This post was going to be a rant about Tory toffs and the unbelievable news that the Governments` Wildlife Minister (a millionaire land owner that just so happens to include a shooting estate) was proposing to licence the destruction of Buzzard nests and to bring adult birds into captivity around shooting estates.
Instead, it is a post about how the great British public have once again made the government have a re-think about a proposed policy. Today the RSPB released the following;
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday 30 May, 2012
THE PUBLIC STEPS UP
FOR BUZZARDS
The RSPB is pleased that an outpouring of public concern for
a much-loved bird has encouraged Richard Benyon - the Wildlife Minister - to
drop proposals to licence the destruction of buzzard nests and to bring adult
buzzards into captivity around shooting estates.
Martin Harper is the RSPB's
conservation director. He said: "We're pleased the minister has listened to
people's concerns and acted in the public interest by cancelling this project.
This is a strong decision, reflecting the strength of the nation's desire to see
Government protecting precious wildlife.
"The recovery of the buzzard is
being celebrated by the public after many decades of persecution. It is clear
they don't want their taxes being spent on removing buzzards and the Government
has to ensure that no bird of prey will be killed in the name of sport.
"We
don't want anything to distract Defra from the pressing task of saving our
threatened wildlife. It should be putting its limited resources into areas such
as preventing the extinction of hen harriers in England.
"Government-backed
research has already concluded that illegal persecution is limiting the
populations of golden eagle and hen harrier. The RSPB believes there are
well-tried non-lethal solutions to reducing impacts of buzzards at pheasant
pens."
Hurrah for People Power!
Thanks for sharing John. Good news indeed, I cannot believe that this was even contemplated. Buzzards have made a great comeback. There is a lot of game shooting in this area and I would not trust what the game keepers get up to one jot.
ReplyDeleteHi Mike,
DeleteYes, it is good news. The game keepers and the shooting fraternity will continue with their illegal persecution of birds of prey, but at least they have no legal backing.
J
Shades of that silly idea about privatising the forests then John, which also met the same fate. {;))
ReplyDeleteHi Roy,
DeleteYes, another example of a Government that really has no idea what the common folk really feel!
J
Hurrah, hurrah!!!! What great news, I was devastated and stunned when I read what they were contemplating and signed two different online petitions against the ridiculous proposals and put a link on my blog so am absolutely thrilled that people power has worked and common sense has prevailed for once :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Jan,
DeleteYes, good news. I, too signed the petition and thankfully the Minister has seen sense and cancelled the proposal. They are still looking at ways of controlling birds of prey, which is as ridiculous as it is horrifying, Buzzards account for 1-2% of pheasant losses, whereas losses by car collision account for a far higher number! Are we going to ban the car?
J
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteAnd this was clear demonstration of people power showing such concern for the plight of the buzzard.
This was a most encouraging article. I shall not start ranting about indifferent politicians.
Peace to you, my friend.
Gary
Hi Gary,
DeleteThank you, my friend. The plight of the Buzzard has hopefully highlighted the plight of every species of bird of prey in or around shooting estates, they are being killed, illegally every year just so a lot of rich toffs can get their jollies out of blasting pheasant and grouse out of the sky!
J
Excellent news! I can stop pestering my friends to sign petitions now! My ten year old son spoke out about this; it's encouraging for him to see that standing up for something you believe in, can make a difference.
ReplyDeleteHi Omi,
DeleteExcellent news indeed. It is good that someone so young feels so passionately about this sort of thing, it bodes well for the future. :)
J
When I heard the original news about this I could hardly believe my ears. Thank you so much for bringing this update to my attention. Posh Dave is having a torrid time lately!
ReplyDeleteTime for a celebratory Buzzard post I think.
Click here for Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
Hi Bazza,
DeleteI thought I had mis-heard when it first came to my attention! Poor old Dave, I almost feel sorry for him, almost, but not quite! ;)
I would do a post about the Buzzard, but as of yet, I don`t have a photo of the bird in question. It will have to wait.
J
Thanks for this news John. I have spent the last 30 years or so defending all birds of prey in any way I can. It would have been a big blow to me if that had gone through.
ReplyDeleteHi Mike,
DeleteIt is good news. Now, all we have to do is root out the poisoners and shooters that do this sort of thing illegally! A long battle, but one that has light at the end of the tunnel?!
J
I think they are known as career politicians John! They have no idea how the normal person lives and works and that is politicians from any party, not just the toffs that are in power now! I think you are nearer the mark with your comment about `ruining` the country!
ReplyDeleteStill, a great result which we will hopefully learn from.
J