The British Association for Shooting and Conservation has welcomed the government’s statement on supporting the recovery of the hen harrier population by taking “targeted action”. The Government also said that “hen harriers merit additional action to reverse the decline in their population.”
The statement is contained in the Defra response to the e-petition “Hen Harrier Joint Recovery Plan” which calls for the English population of hen harriers to be saved from extinction in England and for the joint action plan developed by the Uplands Stakeholder Forum Hen Harrier Sub-Group in 2013 to be published.
The government response goes on to say that final agreement to the plan is still being negotiated and that it is important to secure as much agreement as possible before publication.
BASC Chairman Alan Jarrett said:
“In common with many others, BASC has been pressing for the plan to be both published and implemented as a matter of urgency. We hope all those who care for the future of the birds who inhabit our wild spaces will not fail the hen harrier.
“Constructive co-operation should be a priority for all stake holders. To sacrifice the hen harrier for the limited benefits of short term campaigning would be a tragedy.”
“BASC will continue to ask its members to support the petition and encourage all those involved with birds and the uplands to come together in a partnership that makes the future sustainability of the hen harrier population the high priority which it is.”
ENDS