LABOUR GOVERNMENT TO BAN THE SMOKESCREEN OF TRAIL HUNTING

View this email in your browser Hi, Supporter Labour To Ban The Smokescreen Of Trail Hunting Finally, over 20 years since the flawed Hunting Act was introduced, Labour has announced they will stop the charade of trail hunting. The ban is part of an Animal Welfare Strategy that is due to be published today and was a manifesto pledge of the Labour government. “Trail hunting” at the Beaufort just last week. Hunt sabs in the field realised within weeks of the passing of the original Hunting Act that trail hunting was simply a ruse to disguise traditional, illegal hunting. We spent the next fifteen years saving lives in the field and collecting a tsunami of evidence about the true nature of trail hunting. A tsunami of evidence: Coniston Foxhounds dig out a fox - November 2025. However, the decisive moment came in November 2020, when the HSA published leaked webinars from the Hunting Office in which leading figures from the hunting world tutored hunt masters in how to circumvent the law. Masters of Foxhounds Association Director, Mark Hankinson, described creating a smokescreen by pretending to lay a trail: “It’s a lot easier to create a smokescreen if you’ve got more than one trail layer operating and that is what it’s all about, trying to portray to the people watching that you’re going about legitimate business.” Mr Smokescreen himself. Ex-police inspector and Countryside Alliance Police Liaison Officer Phil Davies added: “Now you know more about hunting than the saboteurs or the courts will know but what it will do is create that smokescreen or that element of doubt that we haven’t deliberately hunted a fox, so if nothing else you need to record that and it will help us provide a defence to huntsmen.” Trail hunting is a smokescreen for illegal fox hunting. While Paul Jelley, leading hare hunter and another ex-police officer, suggested that hunts purchase burner phones for the purpose of concealing criminality: “So something for you hunt staff and terriermen, trail layers and everybody to consider, if you’re recording evidence for the Hunting Act, trail laying, whatever, don’t use the same phones or anything you’ve been using for social media and bragging about what you’ve been doing out hunting.” Following the publication of the webinars, trail hunting went into a death spiral: the Hunting Office itself collapsed, major land owners fell over themselves to ban trail hunting, and the Scottish government pre-emptively banned the practice before introducing its own revised Hunting Act. Today’s announcement is the culmination of that process. Environment minister Baroness Hayman of Ullock , who recently spoke at an HSA parliamentary event, commented: “In our manifesto we said we would ban trail hunting, and that’s exactly what we’ll do. There is evidence that trail hunting is being used as a smokescreen for the hunting of wild animals, and that’s not acceptable. We are working out the best approach to take the ban forward and will run a consultation to seek views in the new year.” Baroness Hayman addresses an HSA event in parliament. An HSA spokesperson commented: “We will anticipate a proper ban on trail hunting, which closes the loopholes in the current law and blows away the hunting smokescreen once and for all. We hope that the animal welfare reforms will not only contribute to the end of fox hunting, but also allow England to join Scotland and Wales in banning cruel snare traps. Hunt saboteurs have spent decades working in the fields, and more recently in parliament, to protect all animals harmed by hunting. Over the last twenty years we have learnt that hunters will stop at nothing to pursue their bloodlust - we therefore anticipate that there will be more work to do even when legislation has passed. This season has already seen wildlife chased and killed under the guise of ‘trail hunting’, a loophole that fails to prevent cruelty. A ban is long overdue to end the savage cruelty caused by hunting with hounds. We will wait to see the outcome of the consultation, but it is clear that far stronger measures are urgently needed to protect wildlife.” Join the Hunt Saboteurs Association! Support our vital work by becoming a member. Join The HSA Spread the word! Please share our news Share via email Facebook icon Instagram icon Twitter icon Logo Copyright (C) 2025 Hunt Saboteurs Association. All rights reserved. You were subscribed to the newsletter from Hunt Saboteurs Association. Our mailing address is: BM HSA, London, WC1N 3XX, U.K. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe

FROM PROTECT THE WILD — TIME TO END THE BADGER BLAME GAME

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more It's time to end the Badger blame game for good ROB POWNALL DEC 21 READ IN APP This week, Protect the Wild has formally written to Angela Eagle MP, the Minister of State at Defra, calling for an end to the final badger cull and an end to the wider badger blame game once and for all. It matters. And it isn’t over yet. There has been progress. After years of denial, the Government has finally accepted something campaigners, scientists, and the public have been saying for a long time: badger culling has failed. The days of mass slaughter across England are coming to an end. But here’s the problem. More than 250,000 badgers have already been killed, and despite this, bovine TB has not been eradicated. New outbreaks continue to appear. In some cases, the disease has spread into so-called Low Risk Areas through the movement of infected cattle. And yet, badgers are still being targeted. The final badger cull is happening right now The last badger cull in England is set to take place in Cumbria (Area 73). This cull is being allowed to continue even though: TB levels in badgers in the area are low There is no clear evidence that badgers pose a meaningful ongoing risk to cattle The policy was never designed in a way that allows its effectiveness to be properly measured Rising cattle TB cases are linked to cattle movements, not wildlife In other words, this final cull isn’t about protecting cattle. It’s about defending a failed policy. Killing badgers didn’t work. Vaccinating them won’t fix it. The Government now says that badger vaccination will replace culling. But badger vaccination is being used as a political sticking plaster, not a science-led solution. There is no solid evidence that vaccinating badgers reduces TB in cattle. What it does do is keep wildlife in the frame and delay the hard work of fixing cattle-based disease controls. Bovine TB is a cattle disease. Its persistence is driven by: Known testing failures The movement of infected cattle Intensive farming practices and biosecurity gaps Blaming wildlife doesn’t fix any of that. Sign the petition Progress is welcome. But it’s not enough. Yes, we are closer than we’ve ever been to ending badger culling. But “nearly over” is not over. Allowing the final cull in Cumbria to continue, and replacing killing with badger vaccination, keeps the same flawed thinking alive. It sends the message that wildlife must still pay the price for policy failure. That is not acceptable. We’ve written to the Minister. Now we’re asking you to act. Our letter to the Defra minister sets out clearly why: The final Cumbria cull should be stopped immediately Badger culling must end permanently Badger vaccination should not be used as a substitute TB policy must finally focus on cattle, not wildlife Alongside that letter, we have launched a new public petition: End the Badger Blame Game Stop the final badger cull. End badger culling and badger vaccination for good. This petition is about drawing a line under more than a decade of cruelty, denial, and distraction. Badgers are not the enemy. They never were. If you believe it’s time to stop scapegoating wildlife and demand a science-led, humane approach to bovine TB, please sign and share the petition today. The closer we get to the end, the more important it is that we don’t let this moment slip. Sign the petition Help protect Badgers for good We’re funded entirely by kind people like yourself. We don’t have major donors or govt backing and so that’s why over the coming weeks you’ll see us doing all that we can to push our 2026 Wildlife Calendar. It’s just such a great way for us to raise funds and you get an awesome calendar in return! :) Packed with beautiful wildlife photos taken by our incredible supporters, like this one by Graham Brace for the month of September! Protect the Wild 2026 Calendar SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2025 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing

FROM THE ROAMERS - WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO WALK OUR RIVERS

Can't see this message? View in browser   The Right to Roam Christmas Film: Wild Service on the River Roding Dear Roamers, The Right to Roam Christmas film is launched! Recap of 2025 Right to Roam awarded TGO Campaign of the Year First Kendal group meeting A huge thanks to all of you who have followed and supported the campaign through 2025. It has been, as the cliché goes, ‘a year of highs and lows’, with a major victory at the Supreme Court, yet more shuffling of government ministers (annoying!), and further attempts by major landowners to chip away at the limited access we already have. With your help we’ve been fighting back and pushing forward. We end the year with a firm commitment from the government to introduce a Green Paper, which will explore expanding statutory rights of access (the first step on the road to new legislation), a bigger and more vibrant local group network than ever, and lots of exciting stuff already lined up for 2026. It’s going to be a big year. More on that in January. But for now: a treat – our first Christmas film! NEW FILM: WILD SERVICE ON THE RIVER RODING Many of you will know that last year the campaign published a book called WILD SERVICE: Why Nature Needs You (available at all good independent bookshops etc), highlighting stories showing how access can lead to guardianship of the natural world. One of those stories featured a community project on the Roding, a neglected river in east London which, in 2017, was squatted by the environmental barrister (and Right to Roam’s sometime legal adviser!) Paul Powlesland, as part of a plan to live among the reeds and defend the river’s rights. We felt this story captured everything about the spirit of guerrilla guardianship that we believe Wild Service represents. So, we teamed up with Paul and the now established River Roding Trust for a weekend of community connection and care. Filmmaker Connor Newson (lavandafilms.co.uk) came along for the journey and kindly put together this beautiful film: Wild Service on the River Roding. Watch on our YouTube channel HERE. CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR This week we were delighted to hear the readers of The Great Outdoors Magazine had voted us as their Campaign of the Year! We don’t do it for the awards but still, it’s nice to be recognised. It’s also a recognition of the thousands of YOU – writing to your MPs, attending trespasses and protests, signing petitions, donating to the campaign, sharing stories and helping flower a new countryside in countless hopeful ways. NEW KENDAL GROUP As mentioned, our local group network is growing from strength to strength (all power to Nadia, who is doing a heroic job holding it all together in the limited hours we can afford!) and we’re excited to say a new group in Kendal is forming. The first meeting will be held on Sunday 18th January 6pm at Fell Bar in Kendal. ------------------------------------------------ We’ll be back in touch in the new year, until then, enjoy the film and a merry Christmas from all of us at Right to Roam. Jon, on behalf of the Right to Roam team ------------------------------------------------ We’ve been campaigning for bold new access legislation for five years, and with the help of the generous support of a few hundred subscribers - each donating around £5-£10 a month - we’ve been mostly able to remain untethered to the demands of grant funding and fundraising. If you feel you could become one of our monthly supporters to keep us agile and focused, please head over to our website: www.righttoroam.org.uk/donate For the latest campaign updates, follow us on Instagram & Bluesky To get involved with campaign action, check out our website here. Want to become a Right to Roam supporter? Head here. Take Action Visit our social accounts Check out our site   This email was sent from this site. If you no longer wish to receive this email, change your email preferences here.

FROM PROTECT THE WILD — WE CAN STOP THE DECLINE IN COMMON SWIFTS WITH GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Mandatory swift boxes under consideration? Even if they were, providing nesting sites would be just part of reversing huge declines PROTECT THE WILD DEC 19 READ IN APP An article in The Daily Telegraph yesterday titled “Houses could require special bricks for endangered species despite Chancellor’s fight against ‘green tape’ led with “Every new home in England will be fitted with swift boxes for nesting under government rules to protect the endangered birds.” According to the paper, “the swift bricks will be treated as a requirement for new homes and developers will be compelled to include them unless there are mitigating circumstances preventing their use.” A version of the same story was also carried in The Times. So, good news for Swifts on the face of it, especially given that it was just eight weeks ago that The Guardian was reporting that Steve Reed, the Labour Housing Minister, had u-turned “on support for bird-friendly swift bricks in new homes” and was refusing to back mandating fitting them to new builds, despite giving support while he was Environment minister. However, long-term Swift campaigner Hannah Bourne-Taylor was less than impressed. She posted a scathing rebuttal on Instagram that described the new policy as ‘meaningless’ and laid into the mainstream media, describing political correspondents as ‘ignorant’. She tagged a second post with “#Greenwashing #Bullshit”. So what is the truth? Perhaps unsurprisingly, we agree with Hannah Bourne-Taylor’s take. The Telegraph’s opening paragraph was misleading - not maliciously so but inarguably. Their article was referring to a 16 December government announcement on a consultation about the snappily named National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which runs until March 2026 and “sets out government’s planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied.” Through an accompanying pdf, the consultation seeks views on a revised version of the NPPF. Its scope is essentially opinion-informing, the government suggesting it might be used “to revise national planning policy to support our wider objectives”. Swifts are mentioned just twice in the 123-page consultation, and then simply as part of a proposed package of changes to support ‘nature recovery’: once on page 16 (“We want to make a number of changes, including to reflect Local Nature Recovery Strategies, to recognise landscape character and conserve and enhance existing natural features, to incorporate swift bricks and to provide guidance on sites of local importance for nature”) and again on page 100 (“Policy N2: New development should also include improvements for nature, through the application of biodiversity net gain where relevant, using actions from Local Nature Recovery Strategies, green infrastructure and nature-based solutions, and adding features for wildlife – with a new requirement for swift bricks in developments”). The latter is presented as a question with multiple-choice answers asking if respondents “Strongly agree, partly agree, neither agree nor disagree, partly disagree, strongly disagree” with the proposal as a whole - not about swift bricks specifically. So what is going on? How did journos from the Times and The Telegraph turn a press-release about a planning consultation into a policy announcement about Swifts? It’s not immediately obvious. In fairness to The Telegraph they have written about Swifts a number of times, but that doesn’t of course translate into actually knowing anything about these amazing birds beyond the headline statistic that severe declines in the breeding populations of Swifts in the UK led to the species being added to the Red List of UK Birds of Conservation Concern in 2021. Perhaps more likely, though this is speculation on our part, is that The Telegraph is generally in favour of relaxing rules on housing development. Its editorial stance and commentary frequently highlight what it labels Britain’s “mad planning system” and advocates for deregulation to tackle the housing crisis and boost housebuilding rates. While the article doesn’t lean into swift bricks ‘holding up development’ in a heavy-handed way, it’s not impossible to read it that way… birds flying over the street light during daytime Photo by Vika Strawberrika on Unsplash Swift bricks - an easy win for government Swifts, once very familiar in urban settings, screaming in loose flocks over rooftops before hurtling into tiny gaps under roof tiles, eaves, or soffits, have disappeared from towns and cities across the UK. Breeding numbers fell by 62% between 1995 and 2021, and that followed losses in earlier decades (it’s not just Swifts we’re losing of course: the UK has lost around 600 million breeding birds since 1980). Why the population has plummeted like this has often been attributed to the ‘tidying up’ of old buildings. Fixing holes, removing the spaces in roofs that Swifts used to nest, even actively blocking remaining entrances because some residents don’t like ‘the mess’ that the birds make, has undoubtedly contributed to the decline. An easy (and inexpensive) solution would be to put those ‘holes’ back - which is where the Swift bricks come in. Designed to replace just one standard house brick, they are hollow ‘nest boxes’ which can be built directly into building walls to provide safe, permanent nesting sites for swifts and other cavity-nesting birds. Current costs (which would surely come down if the bricks were mandated and mass-produced) is just £35 each. It’s hard to argue that mandating developers to incorporate one Swift brick into the 5,000 to 7,000 bricks that are used in the average house build would restrict the government’s loosening of planning regulations in any way at all. It is such a ridiculously easy win, it makes no sense whatsoever to deny themselves it. Yet, as Hanah Bourne-Taylor and the RSPB have pointed out, there is still no policy which legislates for Swift bricks, and as we are pointing out right now yesterday’s announcement was part of a consultation and ‘guidance’ not a change in the law Givernment graphic illustrating a ‘swift brick’. No, we don’t know why they look more like Sand Martins either… Declines are not down to just one thing though We’re all in favour of mandating Swift bricks. But we’re also not naive enough to think they are the sole answer to turning around the fortunes of Swifts. There are typically multiple reasons why a species is declining, and the fact is that unless other equally important problems are addressed they will make little difference. Call us cynical, but not wanting to do very much about these other issues may well be why governments have been reluctant to support such an obvious ‘solution’ as Swift bricks. Claiming to solve ‘one’ problem might just draw attention to the lack of action on others. Firstly, Swifts are exclusively insectivorous. They catch insects in the air. Older descriptions describe Swifts as flying through an ‘aerial soup’ of insects. They don’t so much as hunt down individual prey items as swoop through swarms of them open-mouthed. Only those ‘clouds’ are no longer there. Invertebrates like flies, midges, moths etc are disappearing even faster than birds like Swifts. These are groups that have traditionally been less well-studied than birds, but it’s clear that massive habitat change, the profligate use of pesticides (which despite the labels hit all insects indiscriminately), and climate change are having enormous and catastrophic impacts on insects. For a government wedded to loosening regulations to allow more development, which appears to be in the pocket of pro-pesticide lobby groups like the NFU, and which has done next to nothing about climate change (and even has pushed through policy adjustments on and delays to specific net zero initiatives), reversing insect decline appears to not only be difficult but off the table completely. And - critics will say - why bother giving Swifts somewhere to nest if they have nothing to eat… Secondly, Swift boxes are not a simple ‘Field of Dreams’ (build it and they will come’) answer to the Swift housing crisis. Like many birds, Swifts don’t just roam around the place hoping to find somewhere suitable. They are only in the UK for a few weeks of the year (‘our ‘Swifts’ are actually African, visiting us for very short breeding seasons) and mature birds in particular are site-loyal. If they have no ‘history’ of nesting in your high street, no longer pass your way on migration, and aren’t imprinted on your region, why would they come rocketing back there now? And if they can’t reproduce now, there will be no birds coming back anyway. This is the dilemma that explains why suitable habitat in the west country is no longer occupied by Turtle Doves and why so much effort has to go into translocating Ospreys to Poole Harbour. It is far easier to lose a breeding population of a species than it is to bring it back. It is (theoretically) possible to attract Swifts to new areas by playing recordings of them. Very loudly. And that’s the third issue. The general public have spent decades knocking down nests, blocking up holes, and complaining about birds waking them up in the morning. We may say we’re a nation of animal lovers, but the truth is that typically means as long as animals (including birds) stay ‘over there’ and ‘don’t bother us’. Those bricks will remain empty (or will alternatively be occupied by sparrows) unless the government makes an enormous effort to educate us all why Swifts matter and why they need our support. That will be far more expensive than manufacturing bricks, and will no doubt be left up to charities and organisations which are already struggling to sound the numerous alerts wildlife face. When it comes to the environment we see nothing but mixed messaging coming from the government and see little to suggest that will change anytime soon. On top of all of that, the long migration journey the birds undertake every year, involves crossing continents and navigating potential dangers like extreme weather events: research indicates that climate events like the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle and associated precipitation anomalies (e.g., severe droughts or heavy rain in Eastern Africa) can significantly reduce swift survival probabilities. The availability of airborne insects, their sole food source, is directly linked to these weather patterns, and the general global decline in insect populations due to pollution, pesticides, and habitat changes poses a major threat to swifts both in their breeding grounds and wintering areas. ‘Greenwashing’ So would mandating Swift bricks be ‘greenwashing’ (a deceptive marketing practice where companies falsely portray their products, services, or operations as more environmentally friendly or sustainable than they actually are)? It is critical that birds (all animals) have somewhere to breed. Providing nest sites is always going to be ‘a good thing’ and Protect the Wild unequivocally backs any measure that would help Swifts. But on its own, providing swift boxes is only a fraction of what is required. Unless we do something about the crash in insect numbers too, provide habitat for insects to thrive in as well, it almost won’t matter whether there are holes in walls for Swifts. And unless people are aware of what has been lost and want to turn that loss around - right along the vast migration routes these incredible birds follow - again, it won’t matter either. Environmental Improvement Plan Dec 2025 We are in the midst of biodiversity and climate crises, and they are NOT being addressed. If the government turns around and claims it is doing great things for nature without tackling all of the problems that wildlife faces - everything from habitat loss and pesticide overuse to scapegoating badgers and allowing rampant abuses by the shooting industry - then, yes, it could be accused of ‘greenwashing’. Will it make announcements that demonstrate a proper awareness of how serious these problems are? Will it turn ‘guidance’ into legal obligations? To be fair to the government, it did publish an “Environmental Improvement Plan 2025” this month. Within its 124 pages it does include a recognition of the value of nature (“We all need nature. It provides the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat”), but does labour rather hard on the financial importance of what they insist on labelling “nature services” and how “Nature is one of our greatest sources of national wealth”. It is also full of paragraphs like these two we found under ‘Planning and Planning Reform’ that read well, but either seem to mean very little that we find difficult to accept: “Our vision is for a planning system that delivers win-wins for nature and communities. The purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, which is underpinned by nature” “The Planning and Infrastructure Bill provides for the creation of a Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) that will ensure developments support recovery of protected sites and species. By unlocking the positive impact development can have on improving our environment, the NRF will help deliver our climate and nature commitments, while ensuring the planning system is clear, fast and cost effective for developers”. Either might have triggered The Telegraph and The Times into launching their alert about Swifts and swift bricks, but how often are Swifts and swift bricks specifically mentioned in this lengthy document? They’re not. Not even once. We seem a long way still from the government delivering a ‘win-win’ for Swifts, but we will keep pushing… I’m so pleased to say our 2026 British Wildlife Calendars are almost sold out! Featuring some beautiful photographs taken by our very own supporters, they’re proving vital in funding our vital work fighting for British wildlife. A huge thanks to every single one of you that has already picked up a copy! You’ve certainly been keeping us busy sending them out :) As an organisation that relies entirely on the generosity of our supporters, we’re genuinely grateful for every single calendar purchased. Each one makes a real difference. Produced by the brilliant team at Anglia Print using vegan inks and some of the most environmentally friendly printing methods available, we couldn’t be prouder of how they’ve turned out. 👉 Calendars are selling fast, grab yours today for just £7.95! PTW Calendar :) SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2025 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing

FROM LEWI AT MARINE CONSERVATION — YOU CAN HELP OYSTERS HELPING CLEAN WATER

A perfect gift for an ocean lover View in browser Native oyster reef on the seabed full of pink and orange vibrant corals and sea sponges Credit: Dr Jose M. Fariñas-Franco Hi John, You can still get the perfect present in time for Christmas Day! By making a donation to our appeal in the name of someone special, you’re not only gifting something unexpected but helping ocean heroes and their habitats recover from years of degradation. You can send one of our editable greetings cards alongside your gift to share even more festive joy. Give the gift of ocean recovery this Chirstmas Your gift will have a huge impact. A donation of just £9.72 could grow a dozen baby native oysters that have incredible superpowers. Oysters filter harmful pollutants, build oyster reefs which are home to an array of spectacular marine life, protect our coastline from flooding and storms, and much more. Thank you for your generosity and support. I want to wish you and your loved ones a fantastic festive break. Lewi Jinks Marketing Officer Marine Conservation Society Become a member Our shop Contact us Unsubscribe The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is the UK charity dedicated to protecting our seas, shores and wildlife. Marine Conservation Society | Company Limited by Guarantee (England and Wales) No. 2550966 Registered Charity No. England and Wales No. 1004005 | Scotland No. SC037480 VAT No. 321 4912 32 Registered Office: Overross House, Ross Park, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 7US. Scottish Office: CBC House, 24 Canning Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8EG.

PLANTLIFE SAY IT IS A FUNGI-FANTASTIC YEAR

Marvellous mushrooms of 2025 View this email in your browser Plantlife logo - The global voice for wild plants and fungi Hi John, Fungus season is giving way to the festive season! Before we get into the swing of the holidays we wanted to take a look back at a wonderful autumn full of everything from waxcaps to Wood Blewit. We've had some marvellous mushroom moments in 2025 - so join us for a wild walk, grab a guide and let's celebrate our favourite fungi. Celebrate the fungi kingdom Over the last few months, we've been encouraging you all to get out and about to try to find bright and beautiful waxcap fungi, and survey them through our citizen science campaign, Waxcap Watch. This year was bigger and better than ever before – with our brilliant citizen scientists we tripled last year’s survey numbers (and last year was already record-breaking!).’ This vital data helps us track the health of species‑rich grasslands and protect the rare fungi that call them home. Whether you spotted one waxcap or dozens, your contribution matters. Whilst there might be a few late waxcaps still to spot, the cold frosty weather is bringing the season to an end. But there are still fungi to be found right the way through the year! From Scarlet Elfcups to King Alfred's Cakes - the winter is a wonderful time to explore the fungi kingdom. Everything you need to know about fungi Thank you for helping us give a voice to the fantastic world of fungi - we can't wait to see what 2026 has in store. Thank you. Charley Plantlife Nature Editor Follow Plantlife on: Instagram Instagram Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter YouTube YouTube LinkedIn LinkedIn Website Website Copyright © Plantlife All rights reserved. Plantlife International is a charitable company limited by guarantee. Registered Charity in England and Wales (1059559) & Scotland, (SC038951) Registered Company in England and Wales (3166339) Registered Office: Brewery House,36 Milford Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 2AP, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1722 342730 enquiries@plantlife.org.uk www.plantlife.org.uk Plantlife respects your privacy. You can read more about how and why we use your personal data at www.plantlife.org.uk/privacy-notice Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

ROB POWNALL OF PROTECT THE WILD MEETS HIS NEW FAVOURITE MP TO BAN HUNTING

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Meet the MP leading the fight to end hunting for good ROB POWNALL DEC 18 READ IN APP Neil Duncan-Jordan MP might just be my new favourite MP. On Wednesday he very kindly invited me into his office in Parliament for a conversation about the work he’s been doing over recent months with the New Hunting Ban group, what he has witnessed first-hand out in the field with North London Hunt Sabs, and why he has chosen to bring forward a Private Member’s Bill as part of the wider effort to finally end hunting with hounds. We discussed how the Bill is intended to support the overall campaign by applying pressure on the Government and helping to shape what effective, loophole-free legislation should look like, rather than being the legislative vehicle in its own right. The focus is on maintaining momentum and ensuring that the promised reform is delivered in a meaningful way. It was genuinely encouraging to hear directly from an MP who is taking this issue seriously and using every available parliamentary tool to help bring hunting with hounds to an end for good. We expect a public consultation on the issue of hunting with hounds to be launched in the coming months and we will of course keep you fully updated with how best to respond to it. Support Protect the Wild with a small monthly donation We only ask for a few pounds a month because our strength isn’t big donors or hidden backers. It’s thousands of ordinary people chipping in small amounts. Together, that becomes unstoppable. Your support powers everything we do to defend British wildlife: undercover investigations, hard-hitting animations, fearless journalism, detailed reports, equipment and mental health support for activists, protests, and pressure campaigns that hold the powerful to account. Our goal is 100 new monthly supporters. We’re currently at 49. Can you help us get there? 💚 Support Protect the Wild SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2025 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing

FROM PROTECT THE WILD — IS GOVERNMENT TRYING TO OUTLAW PROTEST? AN INTERESTING READ

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more This Law Should Terrify Anyone Who Values the Right to Protest ROB POWNALL DEC 17 READ IN APP This afternoon’s parliamentary debate (watch in full here) on the government’s proposal to expand the Public Order Act to classify animal testing sites as key national infrastructure was, in equal measure, encouraging and deeply frustrating. I attended the legislative committee debate in person, and what unfolded was something genuinely unusual and revealing. Despite the fact that these committee sessions typically last no more than ten minutes, today’s debate ran for one hour and ten minutes, driven by sustained, forceful opposition from MPs across the political spectrum. One MP said to me on the way out that it is very unusual for such a debate to attract the sort of attention we saw. That alone tells you something important. Momentum is growing behind the campaign to stop this ill-thought-through and dangerous expansion of protest laws. You can watch my 60 second recap of the situation prior to the debate above. Contact your MP An Unprecedented Level of Opposition It is extremely rare for so many MPs to turn up to a legislation committee meeting, let alone to do so with the clear intention of opposing the government’s proposals. Yet today, MP after MP voiced serious concerns about the necessity, proportionality, and implications of this change. The repeated point, made by MPs from multiple parties, was strikingly consistent. There is already extensive legislation available to deal with protests deemed disruptive or problematic. There is no legislative gap. There is no emergency. There is no evidence-based need for this change. And yet, despite this, the government is attempting to rush through a significant expansion of the Public Order Act. A Minister Without Answers The Labour minister, Sarah Jones MP, appeared visibly flustered throughout the session and, in all honesty, failed to adequately address, let alone properly answer, a host of fair and reasonable questions put to her. One particularly serious concern raised was whether classifying animal testing facilities as key national infrastructure could prevent staff at those facilities from legally striking on their own premises. That question was never clearly answered. Another major contradiction was repeatedly highlighted. The government has openly conceded that it is still waiting for a formal review into how the Public Order Act is currently being enforced by police, and yet, before that review has even been assessed, it is seeking to dramatically broaden the scope of the legislation. As John McDonnell MP rightly pointed out, this makes no sense. I’ve included a short segment of John’s speech below that does a great job in getting across the sheer ridiculousness of the Government’s proposals and what it could mean for protest rights. Contact your MP Exposing the Illogic at the Heart of the Proposal Rachael Maskell MP articulated one of the most powerful arguments of the afternoon. She questioned why, if the government is so fixated on the need to respond quickly to a future pandemic and vaccine development, it believes further anti-protest powers are necessary at all, when during COVID people were placed in lockdown anyway. She also cut to the heart of the matter with a simple truth. The country will not grind to a halt because someone holds a sign with a rabbit on it asking that that rabbit not be injected with disease. That statement exposed just how disproportionate and absurd this proposal truly is. Mixed Messages, Corporate Appeasement Perhaps the most damning contradiction of all is this. On the one hand, the government has released a so-called “roadmap” to ending animal testing, with no firm dates, no binding commitments, and no meaningful accountability. On the other hand, it is now telling the public that if they dare protest animal testing facilities, they could face up to a year in prison. These two positions cannot coexist logically. What is clear is that the government is bending over backwards to appease pharmaceutical giants, while simultaneously doing everything it can to suppress the public’s right to peaceful protest. That should alarm anyone who cares about civil liberties, whether or not they oppose animal testing. A Vote Passed, But the Fight Is Far From Over Despite the strength of opposition, the amendment did pass at this stage (10-2 was the official result by the committee) and will now move to the next phase. However, this is not the end. We expect a sympathetic MP to formally object to the amendment in Parliament tomorrow. If that happens, it will force the issue into a full Parliamentary vote, likely to take place in the New Year. That gives us just a matter of weeks to act. Contact your MP Why This Matters to Everyone This is bigger than a campaign against animal testing. This is about whether a private industry can be elevated into the same legal category as airports, motorways, and energy infrastructure, simply to shield it from protest. It is about whether governments can quietly redefine dissent as disruption. It is about whether our right to protest can be hollowed out piece by piece. Some of the statements made by MPs today were so damning that the chair of the committee felt compelled to note that comments were “just within” acceptable boundaries, a clear indication of the strength of feeling in the room. And that is why, despite everything, I left with a sense of hope. Enough MPs understand how dangerous this path is. Enough MPs are clearly uncomfortable with what the government is trying to do. And enough MPs may yet be prepared to do the right thing when this comes before Parliament. What Happens Next The task now is clear. We must use the coming weeks to: Make this issue known as widely as possible Expose the contradiction and injustice at the heart of the proposal Urge MPs to vote against this amendment when it comes before the House Every individual, every organisation, every group that cares about basic civil liberties must oppose this tooth and nail. Finally, I want to thank those MPs who took the time to attend Committee Room 12 this afternoon and put on the public record just how ridiculous, and dangerous, this proposal truly is. The fight is not over and we cannot afford to look away now. In just the last 24 hours, over 13,000 of you have signed the petition calling on your MP to oppose this law change. If you have not yet taken action, please do so now. Contact your MP I spoke to Sole from Camp Beagle directly after today’s events to get her thoughts on where we’re at and what needs to happen next. Please show love and support to the brilliant organisations tackling animal testing, Animal Rising, Camp Beagle, Naturewatch Foundation but to name a few. SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2025 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing

CHRIS PACKHAM OUTSIDE PARLIAMENT WITH BOB ELLIOT & RUTH TINGAY RE CANCELLED COURT HEARING

Good afternoon, In today’s newsletter – an update on Badgers; our legal challenge has been put into hibernation... As you know, we were expecting to be in court on Tuesday and Wednesday this week for our long-awaited legal challenge against Natural England’s supplementary Badger cull licences. Well… we’re going to be waiting for a bit longer. On Tuesday (when we were supposed to be at the High Court) it was confirmed that there’d been a court administrative error, meaning our case had not being listed to be heard this week. Although the court attempted to find a last-minute judge to preside, it just wasn’t possible at such short notice. So, we’ve been told the case will now be relisted ‘sometime in the new year’ (how far into it, we don’t yet know). Whilst it is disappointing to have had our plans disrupted at such short notice, we still made sure to make use of our time in London. All three of us have been busy, planning, strategising, and… touring around with something large and furry. We’ll reveal more soon… P.S. No, we haven’t bought a van – photoshop is a powerful thing – but the large and furry thing is not photoshopped. P.P.S. Chris is keen to point out that Badgers do not in fact hibernate, rather they go into winter torpor. Wild Justice (CEO: Bob Elliot. Directors: Chris Packham and Ruth Tingay). This is the 257th Wild Justice newsletter. This email was sent to you because you subscribed to it through the Wild Justice website or through an e-action or a petition where you ticked a box. Thank you. We will only use your personal details to send you the Wild Justice newsletter. We will not give or sell your details to anyone else. You can unsubscribe at any time: there is an unsubscribe button at the foot of this email or you can reply to this email and ask us to remove you from the list (the former will happen immediately, the latter might take a few days). 124, City Road London Greater London EC1V 2NX UNITED KINGDOM Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options

DRONE FOOTAGE OF ILLEGAL ACTION BY BEAUFORT HUNT BY THE AMAZING HUNT SABS OF WILTSHIRE

View this email in your browser Hi, Supporter Beaufort Busted By Wiltshire Hunt Sabs! Another week, another sab group captures extraordinary drone footage of the illegal fox hunting that is rampant across the country. This time, it was the Gloucestershire-based Beaufort Hunt – who used to count King Charles and Camilla amongst their riders – who were caught out by Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs. The footage, shot near Chippenham last Thursday, shows a fox being hunted hard over a sustained period. In heart-in-the-mouth scenes, the brave animal repeatedly seeks refuge in strips of woodland, only to be surrounded by the baying pack. On three separate occasions – and with the hounds just inches away – she breaks for freedom and the gruelling chase resumes. Break for freedom: the brave fox makes her escape. Throughout, Beaufort Hunt staff and riders can be seen jostling for a better view of the terrified animal. Beaufort Hunt riders enjoy the pursuit of the fox. Drone Pilot Under Attack The footage is all the more remarkable because, throughout the whole episode, the drone pilot was under attack from Beaufort Hunt thugs who tried to enter their vehicle. The cool-headed sab commented: "Last Thursday was the seventh time in this season alone that I filmed the Beaufort hunting a fox. Sadly, the circumstances were particularly dire, as only a single saboteur was out on foot and still far away, meaning that all I could do was watch as the hunters made every attempt to encourage their hounds to tear this beautiful animal apart alive for their putrid, psychotic pleasure. While this was happening, I was intimidated and threatened by both hunt staff and support who tried to gain access to the car in order to get me to stop recording, knowing full well that the chase was now being filmed.” The Beaufort’s Pound-shop Darth Vader tries to intimidate sab drone pilot. Bin-Bag Beaufort This latest footage comes less than two weeks after Wiltshire Hunt Sabs filmed the Beaufort killing a fox and then stuffing her broken body – the evidence of their criminality – into a black bin-bag carried by the whipper-in for that very purpose. The Beaufort Hunt is a large, wealthy organisation that will stop at nothing to prevent scrutiny of its activities. Last year, they made national headlines by downing and stealing another Wiltshire Hunt Sabs drone and, in recent weeks, they have employed a gang of creepy stalkers to harass hunt sabs and conceal evidence of illegal fox hunting. Beaufort whipper-in stuffs his victim into a bin-bag. Weeks before the government consultation on so-called trail hunting, dedicated hunt sabs have landed yet another hammer-blow against the fox hunters. Thanks to the presence of Wiltshire Hunt Sabs, the fox was eventually able to escape her tormentors. You can support them here. Support Wiltshire Hunt Sabs: Donate Follow Join the Hunt Saboteurs Association! Support our vital work by becoming a member. Join The HSA Spread the word! Please share our news Share via email Facebook icon Instagram icon Twitter icon Logo Copyright (C) 2025 Hunt Saboteurs Association. All rights reserved. You were subscribed to the newsletter from Hunt Saboteurs Association. Our mailing address is: BM HSA, London, WC1N 3XX, U.K. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe

CHRIS PACKHAM ALERTS PROTECT THE WILD FOUNDER ROB POWNALL ABOUT GOVERNMENT SLEIGHT OF HAND

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more The Government Is About to Class Animal Testing as “National Infrastructure” URGENT PLEASE ACT NOW ROB POWNALL DEC 16 READ IN APP Petition to ban dog testing in UK gains momentum as activists condemn 'barbaric' treatment | ITV News Protect the Wild does not campaign on animal testing. That work is being led, rightly and tirelessly, by many organisations and campaigners we respect and stand alongside. So when we launch a petition in this space, it is not because we are suddenly changing focus. It is because something far bigger is at stake. Late last night, Chris Packham contacted me with an urgent warning. The Government is pushing through a little-noticed change to the law that could have serious consequences not just for those protesting animal testing, but for anyone campaigning for animals, the environment, or social justice in this country. The change comes in the form of a Statutory Instrument that would amend the Public Order Act 2023 to redefine animal testing facilities as “national infrastructure”. In practical terms, this would place private laboratories in the same legal category as airports, power stations, and major transport routes, enabling sweeping injunctions and protest restrictions to be deployed against people exercising their right to peaceful protest. This is not a minor technical tweak. It is a fundamental shift in how protest is treated under the law. Animal testing facilities are not “key national infrastructure”. The country would not collapse if protests took place outside them. These are not sites whose disruption would threaten public safety or national stability in the way that utilities or major roads might. Stretching the definition this far empties it of meaning, and opens the door to abuse. SIGN THE PETITION Blood On Your Hands': Police Return Rescued Puppies To Animal Testing Facility More worrying still is the precedent this sets. If the Government can quietly redefine a controversial private industry as “national infrastructure” to suppress protest, what comes next? Intensive farming sites? Shooting estates? Live export facilities? Fossil fuel infrastructure? Once this line is crossed, any industry facing sustained public opposition can argue that it too deserves special protection from scrutiny. This is precisely why Protect the Wild is acting. SIGN THE PETITION Our work has always relied on the ability of people to speak out, to gather, to protest, and to hold powerful interests to account. From exposing wildlife persecution to challenging environmentally destructive practices, peaceful protest is not a side issue for us. It is foundational. And there is no legal vacuum here that needs filling. Existing laws already allow police to act against harassment, intimidation, criminal damage, and threats. New powers have already been introduced to deal with persistent or cumulatively disruptive protests. This Statutory Instrument is not about safety. It is about convenience. It is about insulating certain industries from public pressure. The timing is also deeply troubling. Only weeks ago, the Government published its long-awaited Strategy to Phase Out Animal Testing, promising transparency and progress. Restricting protest and scrutiny at the same time sends exactly the opposite signal. This measure is being rushed through via a Delegated Legislation Committee, a process that allows significant changes to the law to pass with minimal debate unless MPs actively object. If enough MPs say “No”, it can be forced into a full Commons vote. That is why this moment matters, and why speed matters. We are standing alongside our friends and colleagues in the anti animal testing movement. But we are also acting for everyone who understands that rights, once narrowed, are rarely restored. This petition is about defending the space to campaign. To challenge. To protest. To be heard. If this change goes through unchallenged, it will not stop with animal testing. And by the time it reaches issues closer to home for many of us, it may be too late. 👉 Sign the petition and use our handy tool to tell your MP to oppose this dangerous expansion of protest powers. SIGN THE PETITION SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2025 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing

FROM BUMBLEBEE CONSERVATION — AN UPDATE FOR SOME OF THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MATTER

view online Bumblebee Conservation Trust logo Bumblebee on purple flower with purple hue background with the words 'May your days bee merry' As the year draws to a close, I would like to extend my sincere thanks for your continued support. Because of you, we’ve been able to take bold steps forward, improve what we do and continue to create a world where bumblebees are thriving and valued by everyone. As Christmas approaches, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news with you! Dr Andrew Impey will be joining the Bumblebee Conservation Trust as our new CEO in February 2026. Andrew brings a wealth of leadership, species conservation and public engagement experience from his time as CEO of Essex Wildlife Trust and senior roles at RSPB and the City of London Corporation. Andrew says: “I’m incredibly excited to join the Trust at such a crucial time for bumblebees. I look forward to working with our dedicated team and partners to build on the fantastic progress already made.” So, as I prepare to close my chapter as Chief Executive at the Trust. It has been a time of reflection not just on the milestones we've reached together, but how we’ve reached them: by working together. This Christmas, let’s pause and appreciate the quiet little heroes who support us all year – bumblebees! From the food on our tables to the flowers that brighten our lives, bumblebees work tirelessly, often unseen, to sustain the balance of nature. I want to thank every one of you for your support in what has been a challenging year for the Trust. For your unwavering loyalty. For your contributions. For your spirit of collaboration. And for reminding us that we are always stronger when we work together. From myself, incoming CEO Dr Andrew Impey, staff and Board of Trustees, I wish you a relaxing and peaceful Christmas with your family and friends. Stay safe, keep blooming and let’s create a whole lot of buzz in 2026! Merry Christmas🎄 Gill Perkins, CEO Bumblebee Conservation Trust Gold words of Merry Christmas with sparkle graphics on blue background Want to follow the Bumblebee Conservation Trust on social media? Click on the icons below to stay up-to-date. YouTube icon Did you know you can also follow the social media channels of our projects on X: @nikkigammans @BuzzingWales @BuzzingShrill @BuzzingScotland Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Registered Charity No: 1115634 / Scottish Charity No: SC042830. © 2025 Bumblebee Conservation Trust. All rights reserved. You are receiving this newsletter because you are a supporter of the Trust who subscribed via our website. We hope you enjoy reading it! Registered address: International House, 109-111 Fulham Palace Road, London, W6 8JA; Correspondence address: Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Beta Centre, Stirling University Innovation Park, Stirling FK9 4NF Unsubscribe

FROM PROTECT THE WILD AGAIN — MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES SPOKEN WITH — IT’S A GOOD READ

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Over a hundred mental health sessions given to animal rights activists! DEC 14 READ IN APP Below is a guest blog from Dr Ishani Rao who leads our Protect the Mind initiative. I am so honoured to have been hosting one-to-one mental health sessions with animal rights activists this year through Protect The Wild. In the past, it wasn’t clear to me how I would be able to combine my passions of activism, caring for people’s mental health, and protecting the natural world. Rob Pownall, the unstoppable and relentless founder of Protect The Wild, attended a talk that I hosted at VegFest last year about veganism and the challenges that accompany it. Protect The Mind was consequently developed as we recognise the stressors and struggles that are intertwined with challenging social narratives and standing up for the animals. This allows me to combine the skills that I have learnt during my mental health training as a GP, with the strategies that I have learnt over the years as a motivated animal rights and climate campaigner. I have hosted around a hundred sessions over this year, some with regular faces who I have developed incredible relationships with. Other activists simply require sporadic check-ins, a supportive and understanding ear, or simple suggestions as to how we can remain healthy and happy activists. Of course, there have been some challenging consultations as the burden of our awareness about animal and environmental injustice becomes apparent. Here is some feedback from two powerful animal rights activists who I have supported over the last year: “Ishani’s well-being sessions were so helpful for me as someone who is a vegan activist and has ADHD. My issues revolved around vystopia and conflict in relationships. Ishani listened without judgement and offered some ideas to work through the discomfort. I never felt rushed during our time together. She was kind throughout with splashes of humour added in which is just what I needed. I’m so grateful for the sessions she provided.” “The session with Ishani are amazing. I came across Ishani at the perfect time as I was really struggling having recently found out what was happening to animals, then going vegan. She is so kind and understanding- after every session I come away feeling really positive. I am able to look forwards for the animals, rather than constantly feeling mortified which probably isn’t practical for them. I look forward to every session and am really appreciative of the opportunity to have them!” These sessions are also a learning and motivating process for me, as I discuss strategies and coping tactics with determined activists. They are collaborative spaces where we can brainstorm and navigate the challenges of living in a world which normalises animal exploitation. I really love speaking to people who are trying their best to make the planet a better place. Thank you Rob for helping to make this initiative happen, and I am excited to continue creating safe spaces for activists. Support Protect the Wild with a small monthly donation We’re flying this month. 42 new Protect the Wild supporters in just two weeks. 💚 That’s what a real people-powered movement looks like. We only ask for a few pounds a month because our strength isn’t big donors or hidden backers. It’s thousands of ordinary people chipping in small amounts. Together, that becomes unstoppable. Your support powers everything we do to defend British wildlife: undercover investigations, hard-hitting animations, fearless journalism, detailed reports, equipment and mental health support for activists, protests, and pressure campaigns that hold the powerful to account. Our goal is 100 new monthly supporters. We’re already at 42. Can you help us get there? 💚 Support Protect the Wild SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2025 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing

FROM CORNWALLWILDLIFE TRUST — SUPPORT ALL THE TRUSTS FOR WILDLIFE

View this email in your browser DECEMBER NEWS Hello there! As the festive season draws ever closer, make sure you take time to step outside and watch Cornwall’s wild places shift into its winter coat. From frosty moorlands to the wild coastlines alive with big waves and visiting species, nature is celebrating in its own way. We are incredibly grateful for your continued support, which plays a vital role in protecting Cornwall’s wildlife and wild places. We hope you get a chance to enjoy everything nature has to offer this season. 🍂🍄🐥 NATURE NEWS Don’t cut corners at Falmouth Docks Cornwall Wildlife Trust has raised a ‘holding objection’ to plans for fast‑tracking the £150 million redevelopment of Falmouth Docks, joining local fishers in urging caution. Cutting corners could harm the Fal & Helford Special Area of Conservation, home to seagrass meadows, maerl beds, and traditional oyster grounds. We are calling for transparency, independent monitoring, and a full assessment of how the expansion might affect local ecosystems and livelihoods. It’s a reminder that progress should never come at the expense of Cornwall’s unique marine heritage. Read the full story LAST MINUTE GIFTS & STOCKING FILLERS Not done your shopping yet? We’ve got you covered. Order before this tonight, Sunday 14th December, for guaranteed Christmas delivery. Or why not give the priceless gift of a wildlife-filled Cornwall with a donation to our Wild Beaver Appeal on behalf of loved one, or a Gift Membership? Clothing & goodies from Teemill Homeware, calendars, and more Or why not give the priceless gift of a wildlife-filled Cornwall with a donation to our Wild Beaver Appeal on behalf of loved one, or a Gift Membership? Gift a donation EVENTS Seaquest Southwest: St Ives Sun 21 Dec | 11am - 1pm St Ives NCI station Join Seaquest Southwest’s public seawatch surveys to spot marine wildlife, monitor species, and contribute to marine conservation efforts. Practical Conservation Volunteer Day Mon 12 Jan | 10am - 3pm Helman Tor Kick off the new year by volunteering for nature with Cornwall Wildlife Trust! Meet like-minded people, practice conservation skills and explore the nature reserve. See all events DECEMBER SPOTTERS GUIDE In December in Cornwall, there's still plenty of wildlife to discover. Robins stay with us year-round, often singing and foraging in gardens, sometimes even feeding from your hand! Look out for seasonal splashes of colour in the countryside - holly bushes heavy with berries provide vital winter food for birds, but did you know that only female trees bear the fruit? The first singing birds such as the song thrush also return in December so listen for their song. Along the coast, keep your binoculars handy: fin whales and even humpback whales are known to pass by in December, with sightings off St Ives, Falmouth, and Mounts Bay. Beachcombers can also enjoy storm-washed treasures like mermaid’s purses, goose barnacles, limpets - and sometimes rare visitors like the Columbus crab. See the full guide Facebook icon Instagram icon LinkedIn icon YouTube icon Images: Robin (header image) - Bill Hall Maerl - Matt Slater Gift membership - Amy Lewis Seaquest - Hevika Michnova Helman Tor rocks - Ben Watkins Robin - Gillian Day Whale - Martin Yelland © 2025 Cornwall Wildlife Trust. All rights reserved. Registered charity number 214929. Privacy Policy and T&Cs Our mailing address is: Cornwall Wildlife Trust Five Acres, Allet, Truro, Cornwall, TR4 9DJ Want to change how you receive these emails? You can unsubscribe from this list.

FROM MARINE CONSERVATION — WHY NOT HELP GROW AN OYSTER BED

Protect the ocean this Christmas View in browser Healthy native oyster on the seabed with sand and small pink corals around it Credit: Gurjameer Ramday Hi John, Every year, there's always one special person who’s tricky to buy a present for... But not this Christmas! Make a donation in a loved one’s name, and you could help us grow a dozen baby native oysters, which remove pollutants from the sea and build important oyster reef habitats for other marine life. Not only this, but you’ll be gifting something unexpected and incredibly meaningful. Give a gift that will surprise your loved ones Don’t forget to send one of our unique, editable cards with your gift donation to sprinkle an extra bit of festive joy. Thank you, this festive season, your generosity is having a huge impact for our shared ocean. Lewi Jinks Marketing Officer Marine Conservation Society Become a member Our shop Contact us Unsubscribe The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is the UK charity dedicated to protecting our seas, shores and wildlife. Marine Conservation Society | Company Limited by Guarantee (England and Wales) No. 2550966 Registered Charity No. England and Wales No. 1004005 | Scotland No. SC037480 VAT No. 321 4912 32 Registered Office: Overross House, Ross Park, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 7US. Scottish Office: CBC House, 24 Canning Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8EG.

THE BURDEN OF PROOF — HUNT SABS PROPOSE BY THIS TO END HUNTING FOREVER — BLOODY INTERESTING

View this email in your browser Hi, Supporter Witness The End Of Hunting: The Burden Of Proof The Hunt Saboteurs Association has produced a booklet titled ‘Witness The End Of Hunting’ which outlines our plans to stop hunters in their tracks or – at least – get them into court with a high chance of prosecution. In this second article, the HSA takes a deep dive into the Burden of Proof. A change in the requirement of the Burden of Proof is needed to encourage correct behaviour in organisations. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 creates general duties for employers to ‘ensure, so far as is reasonably practical, the health, safety and welfare’ of employees (section 2) and members of the public (section 3) and creates an offence should any person ‘fail to discharge’ such a duty (section 33). Hunters draw a pack of hounds through an area likely to hold foxes. In practice, this means that any time a work activity injures a person, the duty has been breached. The burden then falls on the employer to prove that it was ‘not reasonably practicable to do more than was done’ to discharge that duty (section 40). The rationale underlying what might be seen, in effect, as a reversal of the Burden of Proof is that when a person chooses to conduct a potentially harmful activity for profit or pleasure, they ought first to take reasonable steps to ensure that that activity harms no person or animal. A revision to the Act should use this as a framework: requiring hunts and their staff to ensure - so far as is reasonably practical - that dogs hunt no mammal and placing the burden on them to prove that they have done everything reasonably practicable to discharge that burden. Sabs intervene as a beagle pack is taken across prime hare habitat. The focus is ensuring that those in charge of hounds take all possible steps to prevent harm to a wild mammal. The reversal of the burden would fall on the huntsman and the hunt as an organisation to prove that they have done everything reasonably practicable to prevent harm; this is where we see the distinction made with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA). The Health and Safety Act alongside a recklessness clause could follow a similar burden of the proof principle. For instance, if an animal is harmed during a hunt, the onus would be placed on the huntsman (as the person in charge of the dogs) to demonstrate that they took all reasonably practicable steps to prevent harm, just as the HSWA places the burden on employers to show they did everything reasonably possible to avoid injury in the Workplace. Health and Safety at work? A huntsman would be expected to demonstrate that they’ve taken all reasonable steps, such as controlling the hounds in a manner that aligns with the standards set: for example, avoiding areas populated by wild mammals, such as their known habitats. The amended legislation could specify that the huntsman (like an employer) must ensure that the hounds do not cause harm to any wild mammal during the hunt. The burden would be on the huntsman to prove they’ve taken all reasonably practicable steps to discharge this duty. She wants to live. At present it is very clear that most hunts take no steps to avoid harming wildlife. Changing the burden of proof, alongside a recklessness clause, would ensure that hunts had to take any changes to the act seriously or face prosecution. Download our Witness The End Of Hunting booklet here Join the Hunt Saboteurs Association! Support our vital work by becoming a member. Join The HSA Spread the word! Please share our news Share via email Facebook icon Instagram icon Twitter icon Logo Copyright (C) 2025 Hunt Saboteurs Association. All rights reserved. You were subscribed to the newsletter from Hunt Saboteurs Association. Our mailing address is: BM HSA, London, WC1N 3XX, U.K. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe

FROM PROTECT THE WILD — TIVERTON SAY THE ‘HUNT’ IS NOT WELCOME — AND MORE

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Tiverton Council says hunt meets are not welcome ROB POWNALL DEC 12 READ IN APP In this mid-December fox hunting update, the UK’s animal rights community is bracing itself for an intensified fight in 2026. Labour is promising that the long-awaited public consultation on hunting will take place early in the New Year. We can expect to see a pro-hunt pushback as a result. As the debate on a tightened hunting ban draws closer, councillors in Tiverton have voted in favour of a motion declaring that meets by the Tiverton Foxhounds would not be welcome in the town. On top of that: - Direct action by South Norfolk Hunt Saboteurs stopped the Essex and Suffolk Hunt from killing a fox. Check out their video below. - North London Hunt Saboteurs brought MP Neil Duncan Jordan out to observe the Grafton Hunt, so he could get a first-hand look at the ugly face of fox hunting. - Cumbria Police have arrested four more people, after a video of Coniston Foxhounds digging out fox and throwing her to a pack of hounds went viral. The total number of people arrested now stands at 16. Meanwhile, hunts are still causing mayhem across the UK, a riderless hunting horse caused chaos on a Yorkshire road at the start of December and police in Lincolnshire have advised that ‘trail hunters’ should take road safety courses after reports by the public of hunts behaving dangerously on public highways . Find out more below. Tiverton councillors vote in favour of ‘Boxing Day meet not welcome’ motion Councillors in Tiverton, Devon, have voted-in a motion saying that the annual Boxing Day hunt by the Tiverton Foxhounds will not be welcome this year. They went one step further and declared that “the Hunt Meet is not welcome in Tiverton on Boxing Day, or any other day.” Tiverton Town Hall in Devon, image via Nick Theasby/Wikimedia Commons. The Tiverton Foxhounds Boxing Day fiasco, which takes place annually outside Tiverton’s Half Moon pub, is just one of the UK’s notorious 26 December hunt meets. Boxing Day is one of the most important days of the year for hunts, and is notorious for drunkenness by hunt members, road havoc and violence. In 2022 one of the Eggersford Hunt’s quad bikes hit a hunt saboteur and the same day 17 tyres were slashed, in an effort to prevent wildlife defenders from disrupting the Boxing Day hunt event. Protect the Wild’s Eliza Egret wrote: “Boxing Day is the biggest day of the year for hunts across the country. Hunt staff will don their ridiculous attire and parade in villages and towns, blocking streets. Their supporters will cheer at them and get drunk, while the hunts will then go off to terrorise foxes, hares and deer in the nearby countryside.” Campaigners have, for many years, been calling on local councils not to support Boxing Day meets by local hunts, with many notable successes. In the run-up to the vote well-known British naturalist Chris Packham made this strident statement against the Tiverton meet. It was read out by Independent Councillor Steve Bush prior to the vote: “Do you want the disgraceful spectacle of ethically and morally bankrupt sociopathic savages from a bygone age besmirching the reputation of your town at a time when we are all trying to celebrate life?” Tiverton Town Council’s Motion is, unfortunately, purely symbolic and won’t have any legal basis. It does, however show the depth of anti-hunt feeling in Devon. Its also a harbinger of things to come, Tiverton councillors were emboldened in taking their stand by the upcoming public consultation on a proper ban on trail hunting, planned for early 2026. The motion was proposed by Tony Wheeler, who is a member of Local Independents for Tiverton (LIFT) along with Bush. LIFT campaigns against fox hunting in the town and the surrounding area. Wheeler said that a vast majority of the local people that he had spoken to wanted an end to hunt meets in Tiverton. He told the BBC: “When we were out asking the public what they wanted us to do if elected, the hunt being unwelcome in our town came up again and again.” Displaying typical arrogance, the Tiverton Foxhounds announced that the Boxing Day meet and future hunt meets will be going ahead regardless of the council vote. The British Hounds Sports Association weighed-in on the side of the Foxhounds in the national press (no surprise there!). LIFT has since called a protest against the Tiverton Foxhounds Boxing Day meet. Protect the Wild’s Rob Pownall commented: “Tiverton Town Council has finally said out loud what a lot of residents have felt for years: the Boxing Day meet and any other hunt parade in the town centre is not welcome. These aren’t harmless festive gatherings. They’ve brought intimidation, disruption and the normalisation of cruelty right into the heart of the community. If the Tiverton Foxhounds turn up anyway, they’re not honouring ‘tradition’ they’re ignoring the clear democratic will of the town. So it’s good to see there will quite rightly be protest.” At Protect the Wild, we support the efforts of people in Tiverton to get rid of this vile event. We encourage people to organise protests and campaigns in their local area against the Boxing Day hunt. If you live in a town where a Boxing Day hunt meet is taking place you can order stickers and fliers from Action Against Foxhunting here. Fox escapes, as Essex and Suffolk Hunt are outflanked by saboteurs South Norfolks Hunt Sabs (SoNo), South Suffolk Hunt Sabs, Norwich Hunt Saboteurs, Hertfordshire Hunt Sabs and Suffolk Action for Wildlife, showed once again that direct action has the capacity to save lives. On 29 November the Essex and Suffolk Hunt (ESH) met at ‘Dairy Farm’, which is home to ESH huntmaster James Buckle. The hunt was joined by former-Tory MP Sir Gerald Howarth, who was clearly not overly concerned about blatantly hunting mammals with hounds, over twenty years since the Hunting Act made it illegal. Sabs followed the ESH’s pack into Semer Wood. The hunt were intent on killing foxes from the get-go, with no attention given to maintaining a facade of lawful ‘trail hunting’. Huntsman Jack Henty soon began ‘burring’, making a tongue-rolling sound intended to flush foxes out from their hiding places. Sabs followed on foot, despite efforts by ESH hunt security to stop them. The paid goons alleged the sabs were trespassing. SoNo wrote on their Substack: “We had the usual busybodies telling us we were on private land. For the record, the laws on trespass aren’t so straightforward when challenging a blatantly criminal activity like fox hunting.” Its a good job that SoNo ignored the hunt security’s instructions! The woods soon rang out with the horrible sound of hounds in cry, signifying that the dogs had picked up a scent. The wildlife defenders did their best to throw the pack off the trail with voice calls. The group released a photo on their Facebook page showing a sab running in between the hounds and a fox, trying to frustrate the pursuit. The ploy paid off and the fox managed to dive into a badger sett to take cover. SoNo members caught up with the pack as the dogs were scrabbling around the entrances to the sett, with Henty watching idly-by. The sabs shooed the pack away from the sett and eventually the Hunt gave up and the fox escaped. SoNo commented: “Maybe on hearing our shouting, the huntsman decided to gather the hounds and move on.” That seems pretty likely, as Henty is by no means a stranger to problems with the law. Earlier this year he narrowly evaded conviction on two counts of illegal hunting. The case was dismissed after the Crown Prosecution Service failed to disclose a key document to the defence. SoNo reflected on the Facebook page that their members were “in the right place at the right time” to help the fox escape. The timely actions of wildlife defenders on 29 November show that, while the government dithers over imposing a new hunting ban, we need the direct action of hunt saboteurs more than ever. The law isn’t saving lives, sabs are. Donate to help South Norfolk Hunt Saboteurs keep on disrupting the likes of the Essex and Suffolk Hunt. Sabs and monitors are British wildlife’s first line of defence in the face of cruel, murderous hunts. Find out how to join your local group of hunt saboteurs. South Norfolk Hunt Saboteurs filmed the saving of the fox at Semer Wood using a bodycam bought with the help of the Protecting the Wild Equipment Fund. The fund was set up in Summer 2023 to help put ‘eyes in the field‘, empowering people to stop hunting with hounds, tackle bird shooting, and halt the badger cull. Contact us to apply to the fund, or click here to contribute and support grassroots groups to keep the hunts on the back foot. MP Neil Duncan Jordan accompanies sabs as they disrupt the Grafton Hunt North London Hunt Saboteurs (NLHS) took Labour MP Neil Duncan Jordan to see the ugly truth of so-called ‘trail hunting’. The Grafton Hunt, sadly, didn’t disappoint. NLHS published a video of what they witnessed, It shows racist abuse levelled at hunt saboteurs, foxes chased in flagrant breach of the Hunting Act, intimidation of wildlife defenders, havoc on the road caused by the hounds and a muntjac deer caught up in the violence: Neil Duncan-Hall is a key parliamentary opponent of fox hunting, who chairs ‘The New Hunting Ban‘, a group of MPs, experts and public supporters of a reinforced ban on ‘trail-hunting’. TNHB is committed to delivering “a watertight ban on hunting with hounds”. Duncan-Hall accompanied NLHS sabs on 29 November, along with a journalist from the Observer, to a meet of the Grafton Hunt at Wappenham in Northants. One might have thought that, with a MP and a journalist from the national media in-tow, the Grafton might have been on their best behaviour, not so! Duncan-Hall was soon subjected to personalised taunting from the Grafton. NLHS wrote on their Facebook page: “[The Hunt] were especially keen to keep tabs on our MP. Several hunt supporters became quite abusive to Neil Duncan-Jordan MP, as well as our members. One hunt supporter made an ageist remark to Neil that he “looks like a pensioner” and “should be at home.” It must be mentioned that Neil did approach a number of hunt members to ask for their account as to what was going on. The hunt members refused to engage positively. Instead making further childish remarks. Strange behaviour for people apparently engaged in “lawful activity.” A North London Hunt Saboteurs member uses a drone to show MP Neil Duncan-Jordan what the Grafton Hunt are up to - image courtesy of NLHS. On top of abusing an MP, arrogant and bigoted Grafton members were caught on camera loudly commenting “I don’t like Black people”, in the presence of Black wildlife defenders. This incident has been reported to Northamptonshire Police. The Grafton’s hounds were captured on video, out of control and darting in front of vehicles. As the hunt got underway a fox can clearly be seen being chased. In fact a total of three foxes were chased that day, with not even an attempt at maintaining a facade of following a trail. Thankfully, no foxes were killed. NLHS members were able to help at least one fox to escape by slowing the hounds’ pursuit. Later on, the Grafton’s hounds ‘rioted’ onto a frightened muntjac deer (’rioting’ is the term used on occasions when hunting dogs target an animal which happens to cross their path). The terrified creature ran into a wire fence and got caught, having to be freed by NLHS members and the huntsman. However, the huntsman’s rough treatment in disentangling the animal appears from the video to have caused deep lacerations on the unlucky deer. True to form, the Hunt showed watchful eyes that they were happy to trespass too in the pursuit of their barbaric bloodsport. The Grafton took their horses and hounds into Forestry England (FE) owned Plumpton Wood. FE banned ‘trail hunting’ on their lands in 2020, but hunts across the UK regularly do it anyway. By hosting a journalist and a member of parliament, NLHS were aiming to unveil the true face of trail hunting in 2025. Members of the Grafton didn’t disappoint. The group wrote: “Well done Grafton, you showed your true colours on the one day you really should have stayed at home yourselves.” Its no surprise that the Grafton Hunt demonstrated a thuggish contempt for wildlife, the Hunting Act and the public on 29 November. This behaviour isn’t out of the ordinary, its the norm. We need a workable ban on hunting mammals with dogs to put a stop to this cruelty once and for all. Donate to North London Hunt Saboteurs to help them keep on foiling the Grafton’s attempts to terrorise London wildlife. For more information on the law around hunts trespassing please visit our Protectors of the Wild page ‘Trespass and the Law’. More arrests in the Coniston Foxhounds case Six more arrests have been made after the Coniston Foxhounds were filmed digging-out a badger-sett in the Lake District, pulling out a terrified fox and throwing her to the hounds. This brings the total number of people arrested to 16. Fox dug out of badger sett by Coniston Foxhounds and thrown to the hounds - courtesy of Lake District Hunt Saboteurs.[/caption] Some of the arrests took place in the Powys area of Wales and were conducted by Cumbria Police with the help of Dyfed-Powys constabulary. The police have now identified that the dig-out on the 8 November took place during a joint meet by Cumbria’s Coniston Foxhounds and the Teme Valley Hunt, based in Knighton in Powys. A ‘pattern of cruelty’ Video of the brutal killing on 8 November went viral after it was released by Lake District Hunt Sabs and the Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA). Protect the Wild’s Charlotte Smith wrote at the time: “the video is yet another brutal reminder that so-called “trail hunting” is nothing more than a convenient lie, a smokescreen for the continued persecution of wildlife.” She continued: “The images are difficult to watch: the exhausted fox, cornered and trembling underground; the terrier men digging relentlessly; and then, the unthinkable, the animal hauled out and tossed into a baying pack of hounds. This isn’t a one-off. It’s part of a pattern of cruelty that has become all too familiar. In 2023, footage from the disgraced Avon Vale Hunt showed almost identical scenes, a fox dug out, thrown to hounds, another fleeing in terror. How many times must we see the same horror before something changes?” The HSA has pointed out that the evidence of the Teme Valley Hunt’s involvement in this bloody dig-out in the Lake District is further proof that “hunts are working together in a national conspiracy to commit wildlife crime on a weekly basis.” The Lake District dig-out was just one more brutal reminder of the true face of fox-hunting. The highly public release of the video and the arrests are a big setback for pro-hunt advocates, coming as they do in the run up to the government’s long awaited public consultation on a workable ban on ‘trail-hunting’. Please support the vital work of Lake District Hunt Sabs. Whatever the government does or doesn’t do next year, sabs and monitors will remain our frontline of defence against the murder of our wildlife. Find out how to join your local sab group here. Police advise hunts to get road safety training Following reports from hunt saboteurs, wildlife monitors and members of the public, Lincolnshire Police have decided to advise hunters who cause havoc on the roads to take road safety courses. Meanwhile, the chaos generated by hunts continues. In Yorkshire, panic broke out in late November as a riderless hunting horse ran out of control across a busy highway. The Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt threatens members of the public on the road earlier this year. Continue reading SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2025 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing

RIGHT TO ROAM — ROAMERS YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT — A GREEN PAPER BUT WHAT ABOUT ACTION!

Can't see this message? View in browser   A Ministerial meeting, a Declaration, and 10 trespasses Dear Roamers, It’s been a busy few weeks for the campaign. Last week, Right to Roam briefly met Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds, as the Government announced it will consult on an Access Green Paper in future. We also recently marked the 25th anniversary of the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act being passed, joining a great event up in Hebden Bridge. And our amazing Local Groups completed not just 9 but 10 river trespasses, demanding greater access to England’s waterways. For details on all this and more, read on… Meeting the Environment Secretary and an Access Green Paper Last Monday, in the leafy settings of the Barbican Conservatory in London, we met Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds. After handing her some of our well-designed leaflets, we asked her to introduce new right to roam laws. The occasion was the launch of the Government’s new Environmental Improvement Plan - in which we were pleased to see a commitment to publish a new Access Green Paper, and consult on ways to “strengthen the public's legal rights to access”. That phrase ‘legal rights to access’ is particularly welcome - and we’ll be holding Ministers to those words. The bad news, however, is that the Government is now talking about their Access Green Paper being “published during this Parliament” - which could be anytime up until 2029! Given that officials have been working on a Green Paper for the past six months, with input from the Right to Roam campaign and other access groups, this delay is very frustrating. What this means is we all need to keep building pressure on politicians so that an expansion of access rights gets pushed higher up the political agenda. Huge thanks to all of you who’ve been emailing your MPs - please keep doing so. 25th Anniversary of CRoW November saw the 25th anniversary of the passing of the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act, which created the open access land that currently exists in England. A commemorative event was held in Hebden Bridge, organised by Hebden Bridge Walkers Action. Amy-Jane Beer spoke on behalf of Right to Roam, alongside representatives of other access organisations and recreational groups, and access champion MPs Andy MacNae and Phil Brickell. Our talk acknowledged the gains ushered in by CRoW, but highlighted the various limitations and unintended consequences of a legislation that limits access to 8% of England (including Public Rights of Way), and only caters to pedestrian access, with no right to swim, paddle, ride a horse or a bike, camp or forage on open access land, let alone birdwatch, draw, picnic, or take a nap. Furthermore, access under CRoW is a postcode lottery, with inequality baked in. It does nothing to protect us from the scourge of micro-enclosures, as owners exercise their right to sever us from land that we love. Nor does it ensure adequate public information: for too many people, it feels easier and safer not to access the countryside. It is so different in Scotland where a detailed and inclusive access code outlines the principles of responsible access for all. Access islands are a further consequence of CRoW, as is the distance many us have to travel to reach open access land. Rather than extending the map-based approach that creates inequity and complexity, Right to Roam is calling for a ‘rights and rules’-based approach that focuses not so much on where we can go but how. We explained why we campaign so explicitly for rights, rather than more nebulous ‘freedoms’. Simply put, because rights give surety. We will not have equity and connectivity of access in perpetuity without them. At the end of the day, ‘freedom’ is insecure and you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone… At the end of the conference, attendees unanimously approved the ‘Hebden Bridge Declaration’, calling for “ambitious new legislation for access to the land and inland waters of England”, the text of which can be read here. Right to Roam Local Groups complete 9 - no, 10! - river trespasses This past weekend saw the last of our river trespasses organised by our amazing Local Groups network. The past month has seen a grand total of 10 river trespasses take place across England - demanding greater access to our waterways, and pointing out that the Government’s pledge of a mere 9 river walks is inadequate and unworkable. Huge thanks to our Right to Roam Local Groups in Sheffield, Bristol, Suffolk, Kernow, West Yorkshire, Somerset & Wiltshire, West Midlands, Cheshire/North West, Norfolk, and South Devon. For more photos and stories from the trespasses, check out our Instagram account. And a huge thanks also to all of YOU who have been writing to your MPs to say ‘why not give the public access to OUR river?’. Every letter to an MP - especially a personalised message - helps show them that access to nature is a political priority for constituents. We hope to send you one further newsletter this month with a round-up of the year. Until then, happy roaming! Best wishes, Guy, Amy, Holly, and the rest of the Right to Roam team --- We’ve been campaigning for bold new access legislation for five years, and with the help of the generous support of a few hundred subscribers - each donating around £5-£10 a month - we’ve been mostly able to remain untethered to the demands of grant funding and fundraising. If you feel you could become one of our monthly supporters to keep us agile and focused, please head over to our website: www.righttoroam.org.uk/donate For the latest campaign updates, follow us on Instagram & Bluesky To get involved with campaign action, check out our website here. Want to become a Right to Roam supporter? Head here. Take Action Visit our social accounts Check out our site   This email was sent from this site. If you no longer wish to receive this email, change your email preferences here.

TRADITION VERSUS KILLING — RSPB CALL FOR A PAUSE ON GANNET CHICK KILLING — FROM PROTECT THE WILD

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more RSPB Calls for a Pause on the Guga Hunt Tradition vs Survival: Why the Guga Hunt Must Stop CHARLOTTE SMITH DEC 8 READ IN APP Tell Naturescot to stop the Guga Hunt Protect the Wild has recently begun raising the alarm about the Guga hunt on Sula Sgeir: a licensed mass slaughter of gannet chicks carried out under the banner of “tradition.” Now, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has confirmed what the science has been saying for a long time: this hunt should not be happening without clear evidence the colony has recovered. In correspondence with PTW, an RSPB spokesperson said they recognise the “strength of feeling” around the hunt and the worsening pressures on seabirds. They also stressed that RSPB is “science-led”, and that their position is based on conservation concern for gannets. Most significantly, the RSPB has called on NatureScot to pause the granting of the licence, which enables the hunt to go ahead, on Sula Sgeir until two conditions are met: Clear evidence that the gannet population has recovered to pre–avian flu (HPAI) levels. The national avian flu risk level drops to “medium” or lower for wild birds, it is currently “very high”. At the time of their statement, they added that they were still waiting for NatureScot to respond. This is an extraordinary position for one of the biggest bird conservation charities to take, and it should stop NatureScot licensing the Guga hunt in its tracks. Tell Naturescot to stop the Guga Hunt Screenshot of RSPB’s thoughts. NatureScot has been licensing without full data for years The RSPB’s stance doesn’t emerge randomly. For as far back as 2010 bird conservation organisations have been calling for the end of the Guga Hunt, most well known is the Scottish SPCA. This continued resistance to the Guga Hunt, PTW believes, points to one thing: NatureScot has been licensing the hunt without robust, up-to-date evidence about the colony’s health and the impact the hunt has on the birds welfare. Tell Naturescot to stop the Guga Hunt Quote from a news article. Sula Sgeir’s gannet population has still not recovered to its 2001 protected SPA citation level. In 2001, the site was cited at 10,400 Apparently Occupied Sites (AOS). The latest count in 2024 puts the colony at roughly 10,200 AOS, meaning it has fallen below the population level it is legally meant to be protected at. And Sula Sgeir is not just declining, it is the only gannet colony in Scotland to have dropped beneath its baseline. Every other gannet SPA colony has increased since designation. Sula Sgeir stands alone in the wrong direction. To PTW, that pattern raises an unavoidable question: Could years of licensing without full data be exactly why this colony has failed to recover? Especially when we consider this: the hunt was suspended for three consecutive years (2022–2024) because of avian flu. Even after that breathing space, the colony remains below citation level. That doesn’t look like a resilient, recovering population. It looks like a colony already suppressed by long-term pressure, including the brutal slaughtering of chicks. The RSPB’s drone-survey demand exposes how little is actually known The RSPB didn’t just call for a pause. They also urged NatureScot to carry out annual drone monitoring of breeding gannets before any future licensing decisions. “We reiterate our call for NatureScot to undertake annual drone monitoring of breeding Gannets at Sula Sgeir so that future decisions on licencing are based on the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the health of the colony.” That recommendation is damning in itself. Why? Because it underlines that NatureScot has not been collecting reliable annual data on the colony, despite repeatedly licensing the clubbing to death of healthy gannet chicks. If a leading conservation NGO is still having to tell the statutory nature agency to monitor a protected colony properly, it shows how thin the evidence base really is. PTW’s view is blunt: NatureScot has been authorising killing first, and checking the population later, if at all. Tell Naturescot to stop the Guga Hunt Even 500 birds a year stops recovery, and NatureScot knows it This year NatureScot issued a licence for a reduced harvest: 500 guga chicks. At first glance, that sounds cautious. But their own 2025 Population Viability Analysis (PVA) shows otherwise. NatureScot’s interim modelling predicts: Even a harvest of 500 chicks per year suppresses long-term population growth. The colony will not recover to its 2013 size within 25 years, even at that reduced quota. Crucially, NatureScot also admits the modelling is optimistic because it could not include real-world pressures like: another avian flu outbreak, food shortages, offshore wind impacts, weather-driven mortality, or any other factor that increases chick deaths. So the model assumes a best-case world where nothing else goes wrong, and even then, 500 chicks per year prevents full population recovery. PTW’s position is that licensing the hunt under these conditions is not precautionary management. It is a gamble with a protected colony already in decline and unjustifiable. This is not conservation management. It’s cultural permission. NatureScot has previously acknowledged that the Guga Hunt licence is not about conservation management or sustainable harvest science but about maintaining a cultural tradition. That matters. A lot. It means NatureScot is licensing the killing of a protected species not because the science supports it, but because tradition demands it. In effect, this is a cultural exemption to conservation law, and one that is now colliding with ecological reality. PTW’s view: NatureScot should have stopped the hunt this year. The RSPB has now made a clear call to suspend licensing until recovery is proven and disease risk falls. PTW agrees, and goes further. We believe it is shocking that NatureScot allowed the hunt to continue this year: without annual robust monitoring, without evidence of recovery to pre-HPAI levels, with modelling that admits major gaps, and with science showing even 500 birds a year suppresses recovery. If this were any other SPA colony, any other protected seabird, any other kind of licensed killing, NatureScot would be expected to apply the precautionary principle. But, because it’s a “tradition”, the rules bend, the evidence standard drops, and a declining colony has to carry the cost. Tell Naturescot to stop the Guga Hunt A protected colony cannot recover while it is still being killed Sula Sgeir is below its citation level. Growth was already suppressed before avian flu. HPAI has added brutal pressure. And the leading bird conservation charity is now urging a pause until recovery is clear. The science is stark. The conservation case is settled. The question is political. How many more years of “tradition” will be licensed at the expense of a protected species? Because a colony cannot recover while we keep taking its chicks, and NatureScot’s own modelling says exactly that. Even at the reduced quota of 500, recovery is suppressed for decades in a best-case scenario. Protect the Wild will keep pushing until this hunt ends, not in ten years, not after another collapse, but now, while recovery is still possible. There is no scientific justification left for continuing the guga hunt. And in our view, there is no moral one either. This is not a survival practice. No one will starve without gannet chick meat. No one’s life depends on it. But the gannets’ future does. If NatureScot continues licensing this killing under the cover of “tradition,” the cost will be borne by a protected colony already in decline. More chicks will be taken from a population that cannot afford to lose them, and more suffering will be imposed for an indulgence that simply does not need to happen. Tradition cannot be allowed to become a licence for extinction. Tell Naturescot enough is enough. They must do their duty to safeguard gannets and stop the Guga hunt. Tell Naturescot to stop the Guga Hunt Enter our big Xmas raffle! Every month we run a raffle with three ethical and wildlife-themed prizes — all in support of our work at Protect the Wild. And for our Christmas draw taking place on December 10th we have lined up our biggest prizes yet! You could win: A voucher for a Two Nights stay at the luxury Beck Hall Hotel with 2 x 3 course evening meals and breakfast included (Huge thanks to Beck Hall for kindly donating this voucher to Protect the Wild) A Protect the Wild Xmas Hamper worth £180 Fox kitchen set Each entry costs just £1, and every penny of profit goes directly into our fight for British wildlife - funding undercover investigations, powerful animations, national campaigns and lobbying, vital equipment and mental health support for activists, hard-hitting journalism, detailed reports, and so much more. Enter the raffle SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2025 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing

WILDLIFE CALENDARS RESTOCKED BY PROTECT THE WILD

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Final restock of our 2026 British Wildlife Calendars! PROTECT THE WILD DEC 6 READ IN APP I’m so pleased to say we’ve restocked our calendars so now is the perfect time to pick up an ideal Xmas gift for less than a tenner! Featuring some wonderful photographs taken by our very own supporters, they’re proving vital in funding our vital work fighting for British wildlife. Massive thanks to every one of you who’s already grabbed a copy! You’ve definitely kept us busy getting them all sent out :) As an organisation that relies entirely on the generosity of our supporters, we’re genuinely grateful for every single calendar purchased. Each one makes a real difference. Produced by the brilliant team at Anglia Print using vegan inks and some of the most environmentally friendly printing methods available, we couldn’t be prouder of how they’ve turned out. 👉 This is the final run so grab yours today for just £7.95! PTW Calendar :) How your purchase helps protect British wildlife Every calendar sold directly funds Protect the Wild’s work to defend Britain’s wildlife, in Parliament, on the frontlines, and through investigations, reports and legal action. The past few months have been some of our busiest and most impactful ever. We have taken the campaign to end the badger cull straight to Parliament, where we heard encouraging news that its days may finally be numbered. I also confronted the academics behind the cull in Oxford, appeared on national television to challenge the future of the cull head on, and completed a 24-hour walk around Parliament to show that we will not stop until wildlife is properly protected. Our campaign to end hunting with hounds continues to grow rapidly. More than 1,500 supporters have now delivered almost one million leaflets across the country, while our viral cub hunting animation narrated by Chris Packham has reached millions. Over 15,000 people have contacted their MP through our online tool, and more than 215,000 have signed our petition calling for a full and proper ban on hunting. We have also continued to fund and equip hunt saboteur and monitor groups and published hard-hitting reports exposing both hunt activity and hound welfare concerns. Beyond that, we have joined protests, challenged cruelty wherever it occurs, and begun work on a new legal initiative that will hold those who break wildlife laws to account. We are also set to release the biggest undercover investigation into the bird shooting industry ever conducted here in Britain. Every calendar sold helps make all of this possible. SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2025 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing