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MPs to debate petitions relating to grouse shooting

16 June 2021

On Monday 21 June, MPs will debate petitions relating to grouse shooting

The debate will be led by Petitions Committee member Tom Hunt MP. MPs from all parties can take part, and Rebecca Pow, Minister at the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, will respond on behalf of the Government.

Ban Driven Grouse Shooting Wilful blindness is no longer an option

The petition, which was started by naturalist Chris Packham and received more than 111,000 signatures before closing due to the 2019 General Election, states: “Chris Packham, Ruth Tingay and Mark Avery (Wild Justice) believe that intensive grouse shooting is bad for people, the environment and wildlife. People; grouse shooting is economically insignificant when contrasted with other real and potential uses of the UK’s uplands.”

In response to the petition, the Government said: “Grouse shooting is a legitimate activity providing benefits for wildlife and habitat conservation and investment in remote areas. Defra is working on the sustainable management of English uplands.”

What prompted the petition?

Last year, naturalist Chris Packham spoke about why he started his petition to ban driven grouse shooting, which prompted this debate.

What are petitions debates?

Petitions debates are ‘general’ debates which allow MPs from all parties to discuss the important issues raised by one, or more petitions, and put their concerns to Government Ministers.

Further Information

Image: Chris J Walker via Unsplash