Written evidence from North Yorkshire Moors Moorland Organisation (GRO0363)

Dear Sirs

Re : NYMMO Evidence : Debate to Ban Grouse Shooting.

NYMMO are an organisation formed by a collection of moorland estates who are trying to portray the correct side of the shooting industry and eliminate the mistruths that are being brandished about.  We have a really good following, not just supporters of shooting itself but also the many people that benefit from what shooting estates bring to the surrounding area.

The financial benefits relating to the grouse moors are extensive, creating permanent jobs for Gamekeepers, Housekeepers, tradesmen etc, but also to all of the temporary staff that are employed throughout the shooting season.  On an average shoot day for each estate, there are approx. 30 beaters, 8 flankers, 6 pickers, 10 loaders and 6 additional staff for the shooting lodge, this alone contributes massively to the local employment.  The age range is vast, students, pensioners, housewives, all trying to earn a bit extra money to supplement their income, enjoy days out in the fresh air, meet new people and generally get fitter.  The knock on effect to local businesses is vastly significant and the benefits to the hotels, shops and garages is widely acknowledged by the increase in sales, hotel stays and this then leading to an increase in staffing levels. 

Game Keepers are doing a fantastic job, allowing all ground nesting birds (not just grouse) the increased chance of survival and the opportunity to breed more safely and this is achieved by various methods of predator control.  Fenn traps are used to catch stoats, weasels, rats and squirrels (these traps have mesh guards attached to them to try and prevent any other non-target animals from entering).  Larsen and Multi-Catcher traps are used to try and catch Crows, Magpies, Rooks, Jackdaws and Jays as these are the birds that would normally suck the eggs, this is a massive problem at nesting time and as the Lapwing, Ring Ouzel and Curlew nests are much less concealed than grouse nests they are often easier targets.  The overall numbers of all ground nesting birds, not just the grouse would suffer badly if the moorland were not managed and the numbers would inevitably decrease.

Heather burning is carried out during the winter months when there are no nesting birds on the ground and the soil is generally wet, the fires are small and carefully controlled so they don’t spread or damage the peaty soil.  The moorland heather is an extremely important habitat, the short new heather growth provides food and the taller older heather provides shelter and nest sites, burning is done in patches on a rotational period so there is always a mix of short and long heather close together.  If left undisturbed the heather plants will live for over 20 years, the stems over that period become very tough and woody and have very few leaves or flowers.  Within 1 year of burning, new green shoots start to grow from underground stems and seeds, this already is then creating a more diverse habitat which is beneficial for a wide variety of plants and animals.  The last significant point on burning is possibly the most widely acknowledged and that is the prevention of wildfires, the small areas of controlled burning carried out is essential and these work to act as fire breaks should a wildfire start, this lessening the risk of devastating consequences to wildlife and moorland.

Grouse shooting is widely renowned as a “Rich Mans” sport, however this doesn’t tell the picture of all the everyday lives which rely heavily on this industry and the amount of money that is generated from it.  Without grouse shooting the moorland and wildlife would not be what it is today, we hope that common sense can prevail and game-keepers and managed moorland are able to continue doing the excellent job that they undoubtedly love, are passionate about but most importantly are very good at.

Kind Regards

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Tina Brough

October 2016