Birds and animals including the red kite, the goshawk, the barn owl and the wild boar could be completely wiped out of the UK if a new bill to encourage the development of infrastructure is passed, a group of leading scientists warned yesterday.
The threat stems from a new definition of the term “non-native species”, which is so broad that it includes native species that died out in the UK but have since been reintroduced. The labelling means that many species, such as the white-tailed eagle, eagle owl and common crane could be placed at risk as they would be classed as non-native.
It is entirely possible that this legislation could be used to eradicate some
native species from the UK. Wild boar, beaver and goshawk are particularly vulnerable. If the bill is passed in its current form it could lead to an irreversible loss of native biodiversity. The legislation could also preclude future species reintroductions.
Some non-native species could also be vulnerable because a landowner only needs to prove economic damage to apply for an order to control or eradicate a species.
A magnificent male Goshawk
You can bet your last pound (OK - bottom dollar) that the real impetus behind this proposed legislation is coming from owners of shooting estates and their gamekeepers, wanting to protect stocks of game-birds for their rich clients to blast out of the skies.
This alarming proposal must be rejected.
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