Written evidence from Mr. Andrew Fox (GRO0361)
By way of introduction I am a Chartered Surveyor and Director of Fox Surveying Limited specialising in Rural Estate Management.
The practice is based near Penrith, Cumbria and a substantial part of my work includes the management of a Grouse Moor and a number of upland holdings that are linked to Grouse Moor Management and upland farming. Below is my response to three keys areas of the debate. The responses are
2 Should the law on grouse shooting be changed? If so, how?
It is my opinion that the law on grouse shooting, as it stands at the moment should not be changed.
The main reason for this is that the industry is already well regulated by various existing laws such as the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as well as a suite of other Environmental legislation that governs how land in the uplands is managed for a variety of different purposes.
The upland areas of the UK have a very varied and hugely important ensemble of flora and fauna that make the areas so special to so many stakeholders. The areas of peatland and heather ground in the UK are extremely important to a number of breeding upland birds.
The fact that Red Grouse inhabit these areas and can be legally shot as sporting quarry means there is a strong link between Grouse Moor Management and the vast benefits is has for upland land holdings including habitat management, management for both quarry and non-quarry species of birds and mammals.
Due to the ecological and environmental importance of the areas in terms of habitat, landscape, water management, etc. there are a number of existing designations in place that help Owners as well as Managers deliver the correct management of the areas to meet a number of different objectives. Such designations include SSSI, Common Land status, AONB.
Currently as it stands the vast majority of the upland areas in England managed as Grouse Moors also fall above the Moorland Line and as such can be accessed by the general public by way of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. A huge number of people annually therefore are able to enjoy these special upland areas and all of the benefits they bring. These areas are managed by Gamekeepers and Estate Staff for grouse shooting but as is obvious the management techniques used also create the landscape that thousands of people enjoy.
As explained above it is my opinion that the law on grouse shooting should not be changed given the current laws that are in place that allow the careful but extremely positive management of upland areas.
From practical experience I can state that grouse shooting and the management of Upland Estates for grouse shooting has a major positive effect for wildlife and the environment.
Gamekeepers, as the law currently states, can legally control a number of pest species that predate a number of other species of birds and mammals. These predatory mammals and birds include, but are not limited to, Foxes, Stoats, Weasels, Rats, Carrion Crows, Magpies, Rook.
By the legal control of these predatory mammals and birds there is strong evidence that a number of ground nesting birds including red grouse, black grouse and waders are present in higher densities than in areas where no predator control is undertaken.
The upland areas managed for grouse shooting also provide varied habitats for a number of bird species. This management by way of rotational burning of heather and grass areas provides the varied habitat that the wildlife require. The longer heather provides shelter and protection from predators while the shorter heather provides foraging areas for both adult birds and young for a variety of species.
The uplands in the spring are an exciting place given the number of visiting bird species that use the areas to nest and rear their young, key species include Curlew, Lapwing, Golden Plover, Ring Ouzel can all be spotted. Again there is evidence to suggest that areas managed as grouse moors have both a higher density of adult birds and that these birds have a much higher chance of fledging their young thereby preserving these vulnerable species for generations to come. As stated earlier the main reason for the increased fledging success is due to the hard work undertaken by Gamekeepers both in terms of habitat management as well as legal vermin control.
Gamekeepers in these modern times are highly trained individuals who have the responsibility of managing these upland areas and for the most part hold a number of relevant qualifications and certificates to enable them to undertake their jobs. For instance the rotational burning of heather and grass requires the use of specialised all terrain vehicles and cutting equipment.
The skills used for heather burning are equally transferable to the management of wildfires.
In terms of the environment I believe that active management by grouse moors has many benefits for the environment. A number of Estates I am involved with in conjunction with Natural England have facilitated the blocking of drainage grips across peatland that were dug during the 1950s to dry the areas out to enable higher stocking densities of sheep. This blocking of drainage grips allows the peat to hold more water and prevent flooding in areas lower down the valleys. Again this suggests that careful management of the uplands has many far reaching benefits.
Estates I am involved with also work alongside Natural England to enhance the management of the uplands by entering into the relevant Higher Level Stewardship Schemes. This has a number of positive benefits to the ongoing environmental management either by reducing sheep stocking densities, stone wall restoration, grip blocking, heather regeneration to name but a few.
Grouse shooting plays a very important part in rural life. On average in upland areas managed for grouse shooting I would suggest there is at least one gamekeeper per 2,500 - 3,000 acres. Upland Gamekeepers and their families will contribute to the support rural schools, service centres such as market towns. These rural families along with the farming community make up a significant part of the total population of these rural areas keeping the cultural heritage of these areas alive.
In terms of the rural economy it is my opinion that grouse moors provide a number of positive benefits to this sector. The management of these vast areas of the landscape, all year round, means that gamekeepers require equipment such as 4x4 vehicles, ATV’s, tractors etc. In my experience a lot of these machines are bought locally as well as serviced locally by local mechanics.
Building materials for property maintenance are purchased locally, as well as the use of local contractors from builders to agricultural contractors are used on an annual basis.
The shooting season also provides welcome revenue to a number of local business’s out of the peak tourist season. These includes local hotels, pubs etc.
On any particular shoot day there can be up to 50 people employed on any given Estate. Again a large proportion of this money is recycled within the local community.
The above was drafted to express my personal thoughts on the many and varied benefits og rouse shooting and the required management of the uplands that supports grouse shooting but also the benefits to the general public, through access, benefits to the non quarry species of birds and mammals as well as the environmental benefits.
A J Fox