WILD JUSTICE WITH THE LONG RUNNING LEGAL DEBATE ON BADGER CULLING

Good afternoon, Today we bring you news on the outcome of our legal challenge against Natural England’s decision to issue supplementary licences for Badger culling – a result which is complicated, nuanced, but in our opinion, ultimately very positive. Natural England concedes farming interests must not drive Badger cull decisions following our legal challenge. Our, long running challenge against supplementary Badger culling licences finally concluded this week, after a hearing at our day in court on the High Court on 16th June. The Honourable Mr Justice Fordham handed down his judgment today, in which he declined to grant a declaration. On the face of it this isn’t a very clear outcome – essentially the judgment is that there is no judgment. But crucially, through taking this legal challenge, we’ve secured some important admissions from Natural England and Defra which could have nationwide implications for Badgers and any proposed future culls. Most importantly, they have formally recognised, on the record, that farming interests, political pressure, and budget considerations must not be factors considered when authorising Badger culls. Through this legal challenge, we uncovered internal documents that would never have otherwise entered the public domain. These papers, prepared for Natural England's Executive Committee (“NexCo”), briefed senior leadership on applications for supplementary Badger cull licences and they were very illuminating. The documents listed five considerations that were implied to be relevant to the granting of cull licences, which were: Potential consequences for Natural England's "wider relationships within the farming community" Potential consequences for Natural England's relationship with Defra Natural England's exposure to compensation claims from the farming industry Pressure to meet farming industry timelines and avoid "questions raised by the NFU" Consequences for Natural England's budget, including potential staff layoffs and wellbeing issues Natural England subsequently granted 26 supplementary Badger cull licences on 3 May 2024, despite its own Director of Science stating there was "no justification" for the cull. Following this, we brought this legal challenge (along with the Badger Trust) on the basis that Natural England’s decision had been improperly influenced by these irrelevant considerations. In a witness statement filed some 15 months after the cased was lodged in court, Natural England clarified that while the NexCo Paper was commissioned so that its executive committee “could understand the risks and consequences of the different decisions that might be taken” and was accessible to the person making the decision on the licences (Dr Oliver Harmer, who sits on NexCo (here), he did not in fact click on a link to it (and therefore see the paper) before making his decision on the licences. We think it is quite surprising that decisions of this importance can be made by senior officials without considering comprehensive briefing materials. But regardless, as a result, no finding of unlawfulness could be made, and the Court declined our invitation to formally rule that the five considerations would have been unlawful, only on the basis that courts should not rule on hypothetical questions (now that the application and culls have passed). However, crucially, both Natural England and the Defra Secretary of State conceded (NE before and during the hearing and the Secretary of State at the hearing) that those considerations would have been unlawful to rely upon. Both have now formally recognised that farming interests, political pressure, and budget considerations must play no part in authorising any future Badger culls. This is a good outcome for Badgers, because as we know that there is also no scientific justification for similar culls. We brought this case because we believe Badger culling is inhumane, lacks scientific justification, and in this case apparently pursued primarily to satisfy the farming lobby rather than on legitimate public health grounds. The internal documents we uncovered vindicated those concerns, and without this challenge, they would never have seen the light of day. We also recognised that while the target of the legal challenge was the decision to approve the licences in May 2024, the case was (and was always intended to be) an audit of the legality of public decision-making.As the Judge noted in a previous judgment in this case: “it is always on the cards that judicial review will be backward looking in this kind of case. That does not undermine the value of the legal audit. Nor is that value necessarily a function of the outcomes of cases. The public interest enterprise of judicial review accountability secures lawfulness. It promotes discipline. It exposes unlawfulness. It promotes public confidence in public authority decision-making”. What is important is that a decision to cull Badgers based on these types of erroneous and unlawful factors should never be taken again. This lengthy process has also resulted in a free-standing and landmark judgment on the issue of legal costs. During proceedings last year, Natural England attempted to remove our standard costs protections under the Aarhus Convention, in an apparent attempt to make the challenge unaffordable for Wild Justice and Badger Trust. The Court emphatically rejected this, affirming that legal challenges of this kind "promote a public interest in an environmental protection context." At the time, Mr Justice Fordham said “Finally, the signals which the law gives in environmental judicial review cases matter. Especially when the rationale of environmental costs caps is to avoid inappropriate deterrence or chilling effects. All of which is because something bigger than all of us is at stake: the environment which we share with each other, and with others, and for which we are responsible.” This ruling benefits environmental cases far beyond the world of Badger culls (read a great blog on it here), strengthening the ability of charities, campaign groups and individuals across the board to bring environmental challenges without facing prohibitive costs. It has already been cited in several court cases, including in the Supreme Court last week. Back in April 2025, our solicitors at Leigh Day offered to drop the case entirely in exchange for each side bearing their own costs. We thought this was a fair and reasonable offer. Natural England refused however, demanding instead that we pay all of their legal costs to date. That figure was £5,800. We pushed on, and ultimately the judge ordered that neither side pays the other's costs, vindicating our decision to reject NE's demand. Had NE accepted our offer, months of further litigation could have been avoided. Instead, their refusal to engage reasonably meant the case continued, and the concessions we secured came with it. Once again, we’d like to thank our brilliant legal team at Leigh Day who helped get this case to court – your dedication throughout many twists and turns has been admirable. So, thank you Ricky Gama, Carol Day, Julia Eriksen and Madeeha Akhtar at Leigh Day, David Wolfe KC at Matrix Chambers and Barney McCay at Landmark Chambers – you’ve all been brilliant! And, most importantly, thank you – our supporters who helped us bring this case into the court room. Without your support over the last two years (!), we wouldn’t have been able to shine a light on these decision making processes and, ultimately, help ensure that unlawful decisions aren’t made in the future. You can read our press release on the case on our website - click here. Thank you, Wild Justice (CEO: Bob Elliot. Directors: Chris Packham and Ruth Tingay). This is the 270th 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

THE HUNT SABOTEURS ON TRAIL HUNTING DECEIT AND ‘THE POSH’ WHO WANT TO GO ON KILLING FOXES

View this email in your browser Hi, Supporter He Astor Be Kidding: Top Fox Hunters Try To Hoodwink Government As reported in The Times hunt leaders, including British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) Chair, father-in-law to ex-PM David Cameron, Viscount Astor, are plotting to hoodwink the government into making small changes to the types of scent used by so-called ‘trail’ hunts enabling ministers to ‘claim victory’ without introducing the comprehensive legislation that would ensure an end to hunting wildlife with dogs. The 4th Viscount William Waldorf Astor III, current chair of the BHSA The plot formed part of the leaked minutes from a BHSA board meeting held in May 2026, in the prestigious Cavalry and Guards Club, a private members club in Mayfair, London. Just exactly the sort of distinguished setting you’d expect from those occupying the upper echelons of the hunting establishment, picture the scene - leather armchairs, military portraits adorning the walls and silver service dining rooms - discussing how to circumvent an incoming ban on hunting. The ‘garden room’ at the Cavalry and Guards private members club Hunters like to portray themselves as ordinary country folk, the reality is played out in private members’ clubs, where representatives of bloodsports groups, assembling beneath chandeliers in one of London’s most exclusive clubs are, despite massive public opposition, plotting ways to shape laws to suit them, assisted of course by a highly expensive consultancy, of the sort that are paid to change public opinion in favour of those with deep pockets. The BHSA itself emerged out of the ashes of the discredited Hunting Office following the fallout from the leaked Hunting Office webinars in 2020. As we warned at the time, simply taking ‘hunting’ out of the name will do nothing to change the culture of “dishonesty and evasion” and resistance to reform, the old guard became the new guard - same old, same old, and they want to repeat history, only this time it is drag hunting they will claim to be doing. The major flaw in this, is of course the fact the British public is overwhelmingly in support of a stronger ban, in rural areas, as much as towns and cities. Astor, of course in his ivory tower would not necessarily understand this, when he isn’t frequenting London’s exclusive clubs, he can of course be found on the hunting field with his home pack the Old Berks Hunt. Astor when not in his ivory tower, or private members clubs can be found hunting foxes at his home pack, the Old Berks. Photo: Bristol Hunt Sabs Those that have been following our news will know that the Old Berks is also home to two of the most sadistic hunters that have come to light in recent years; Oliver Thompson and Rob Shearring. The BHSA has no qualms in hunts employing individuals convicted of grotesque animal cruelty within hunt management and staff - Shearing is a current master of the OB, and it is reported that Thompson is returning as amateur whipper-in for the 2026/7 season. Reputationally ‘trail’ hunting is already at gutter level, and soon it will be consigned to history’s sewer. Thompson (centre) digging a fox out as Shearring (left) blocks an escape with a spade and his boot. And now they appear intent on dragging drag hunting into the stench with them. We have already raised concerns that hunts will simply reinvent themselves as drag hunts, if the government fails to address this loophole, and how the Countryside Alliance have already indicated this is what they will use to continue to operate as they have always done. Its Director of Hunting, Polly Portwin, recently stated: “We will find a way, we’ve had to find a way and we’re going to have to adapt”. The warning signs are already there. Two fox hunts, including the Crawley & Horsham Hunt – a hunt with multiple Hunting Act convictions - have already transferred their allegiance to the Masters of Draghounds and Bloodhounds Association (MDBA). Whilst the MDBA is predominantly a bloodhound (Clean Boot) association, drag hunts are also governed by this organisation, and before those two fox hunt arrivals, only five drag hunts were registered with the MDBA. When dozens, if not hundreds, more fox, stag or hare hunts make the same move, the organisation will be overwhelmed and transformed into the old BHSA almost overnight. The Crawley & Horsham Hunt have multiple convictions for Hunting Act offences as well as violence and thuggery. They have now switched to the MDBA, despite their former huntsman Richard Gurney coaching others in lawbreaking during the infamous Hunting Office Webinars. If Astor’s delusions ever see light of day, rather than “trail” hunts converting to drag hunting, drag hunting will simply be reshaped to accommodate fox hunting. Drag hunting as it was will simply cease to exist. The master-plot involves the government falling for the sly offer to “start the process of conversion [of scent] next season so that, by season 2028, we would not be using any animal-based scent or lifting of laid trails, therefore, in effect, drag hunting”. Now aside from the obvious staggering entitlement of dictating government timetables, this is wholly reliant on the government accepting this offer instead of legislation. So, if the entire plan depends upon ministers accepting voluntary changes, what is in it for the government? Apparently ministers get to “save face” by appearing to bring an end to hunting without actually legislating its demise, and in return, Astor offers some kind of trial period, that hunting is given the opportunity to “change its ways”, and if they fail to convince ministers, only then a bill could be considered, but he goes on to state that by then this would of course conveniently be close to the “next general election”. In other words, drag hunting will be reshaped, not only to accommodate fox hunting, but to actively act as some kind of waiting room for repeal of hunting laws. Preserve the hunt, kennels, staff, and land for hunting and of course preserve the institutional management of fox hunting as long as possible, keep hunting wildlife, in the hope of a far-right victory in the polls. In other words, playing for time. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch courting the hunting vote with notorious hunt thug Ollie Dale of the Heythrop Hunt by supporting a hunt fundraiser, the Heythrop Point-2-Point. The plan to retain the infrastructure of fox hunting, in the hope that they can get in a Reform or even a Tory government to repeal any legislation - both leaders of Reform Ltd and the Conservative Party, Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch respectively, are in favour of hunting with dogs, with Farage going further and suggesting a repeal of the original 2004 Hunting Act maybe on the cards. Nigel Farage, a long term supporter of fox hunting, states he would even repeal the original Hunting Act, pictured Boxing Day 2025 at Chiddington Castle with the Old Surrey, Burstow & West Kent Hunt. Of course, when the time comes and they seriously have to campaign for an election they’ll likely change their tune once they realise that hunting wildlife with dogs remains deeply unpopular with the British public. Agitators like Farage may well find it easy to signal support for hunts when speaking to sympathetic audiences but mounting an election challenge with sadistic ritualised animal cruelty on the agenda isn’t the vote winner some might think it is. The infamous Hunting Office Webinars, Hunting’s leaders - including former senior police officers and members of the House of Lords - coaching huntmasters and huntsmen on how to hunt foxes and get away with it. The Government should, of course, bear in mind that hunting's leadership is neither short of money nor short of influence. When strategy meetings are being held in exclusive Mayfair clubs and supported by expensive professional consultants, ministers should assume that every possible loophole, exemption and smokescreen will be identified and pushed for. The lessons from the last twenty years are obvious; if a loophole exists, hunts will drive a horsebox through it. Parliament should write the law on the assumption that every promise, assurance and undertaking will be tested to destruction - just like hunts said they would do, and did do with the original ban. That is why we are still here today. Any new ban must therefore be watertight, leaving no room for reinterpretation, and certainly no “voluntary” agreements - only the terminally gullible would still take these shameless liars at their word. 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) 2026 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

THE ‘EYE IN THE WILD’ FROM PROTECT THE WILD—SEE WHAT BEAVERS CAN DO

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Eye on the Wild - Your weekly roundup of British wildlife news Eye on the Wild #5 ELIZA EGRET JUN 26 READ IN APP Welcome to the fifth edition of Eye on the Wild, our new weekly roundup designed to keep you up to date with the latest stories concerning British wildlife. Each week, we’ll share important news, updates and stories from across the UK, including issues, species, and campaigns that may not always make the headlines. We’ll also highlight ways you can help and take action for wildlife. If you have a story you think we should cover, email us at contact@protectthewild.org.uk For the first time in over a century, a pine marten has been spotted in Sussex Homeowner Andrew spotted the animal in his garden in Worthing while he was having his morning coffee. He said that the pine marten was on the path, enjoying the sunshine. Pine martens remain critically endangered in England and Wales. Hunting and woodland destruction drove the species to the brink of extinction during the 19th century. They have been reintroduced across England and Wales, including Dartmoor, Exmoor, Cumbria, the Forest of Dean and Mid Wales. The South East Pine Marten Restoration Project has also been planning a reintroduction of the species in the southeast. The collaboration between Kent Wildlife Trust, Wildwood Trust, Sussex Wildlife Trust, Ashdown Forest and Forestry England is still in its early stages, determining whether the habitat is suitable, as well as assessing public and stakeholder support for the project. The Worthing pine marten beat the project to it! Nature’s engineers are transforming the North York Moors! Cropton Forest's downstream communities had been facing repeated flooding over a 20-year period. In 2007 one flood caused roughly £7 million in damage to homes and businesses. So in 2019 two beavers were released into a secure enclosure in Cropton Forest to maintain existing dams and create their own. The beavers were monitored over a five-year period. They built six dams, and 11 kits were born. And now researchers have confirmed they have been preventing floods and increasing wildlife diversity. The University of Leeds’ Professor Mark Smith said: “The site was transformed by the beavers in ways we never imagined.” Smith continued: “We saw peak flow reductions, increased drought tolerance and increases in plant diversity and in vertebrates, such as mammals, amphibians and [invertebrates such as] dragonflies.” Beavers were once hunted to extinction in the UK for their fur and scent glands, but there have been a number of beaver reintroduction projects. London’s Ealing beavers have also made headlines in recent days. They have prevented flooding in an area that has suffered since the 1970s. Speaking about the UK’s beaver projects, The Wildlife Trusts states: “This isn’t just about the reintroduction of a species - it’s about the reintroduction of an entire ecosystem that’s been lost.” Do you want to know where beavers have been reintroduced in the UK? This interactive map brings together a list of reintroduction projects by the Beaver Trust and other organisations. More than 2,500 people have given their opinions on how we can urgently save the UK’s declining insects The Big Insect Rescue Survey was conducted by Buglife, Butterfly Conservation and Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Many respondents want to see the government setting stronger rules to reduce pesticide use. They want it to restore clean rivers, streams, lakes and ponds, and to protect them from pollution. There was strong support for helping farmers shift to more nature-friendly methods. Respondents also wanted protected habitats to be created and connected, allowing species to move. People also think that housing developments should be designed with nature in mind. Insects are absolutely essential for life. They pollinate crops, maintain soils, break down dead matter, and form a critical part of the food chain for countless species. The Bristol Declaration, launched in September 2025 and signed by leading wildlife organisations, states that reversing insect decline is essential, not optional. The organisations’ Big Insect Rescue Plan is calling on governments, businesses, land managers, and the public to take immediate action to protect insects. UK Swift Awareness Week begins on Saturday 27 June! Swift Awareness Week is back, with more than 100 events planned across the UK, organised by local groups across the Swifts Local Network and the RSPB. Swifts usually arrive in the UK from early May, after migrating 7,000 miles (11,000km) from sub-Saharan Africa. Numbers have declined by over 60% since the 1980s, and they’re now on the UK’s Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern. A major cause of this decline is the destruction and blocking of nesting sites. Just weeks ago, a large Swift colony was destroyed when developers tore down a building during nesting season. Between 17 and 22 active nests were thought to be lost during the destruction of Regent House in Dorking, Surrey. And so Swift Awareness Week is more vital than ever. Join walks, talks and events in your area. You can view a list of events on this Google Doc, or on RSPB. SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2026 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing

FROM PROTECT THE WILD - ANIMATION GONE VIRAL

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Our new animation on glue traps just hit 10 million views They're one of the most barbaric devices still used against wildlife in the UK - and Amazon is still selling them. JUN 24 READ IN APP A few days ago, we released our newest animation - and it’s gone viral. This time, we’re exposing the horrific realities of glue traps, one of the most barbaric devices still used against wildlife in the UK and beyond. Drawn in by food, animals become trapped on sticky mats coated with a powerful adhesive. They often spend hours or days stuck there, until they eventually succumb to exhaustion, dehydration or injury. The suffering and terror caused by these traps is unimaginable - animals have been known to chew off their own limbs in an attempt to escape. These traps are used for so called ‘pest control’ purposes, and rats and mice are their primary victims. But glue traps don’t discriminate, catching birds and squirrels, hedgehogs, cats and more. STOP GLUE TRAPS Just days ago, a Sunderland wildlife charity found a magpie stuck in a glue trap that had been used to catch a rat. Mike the magpie was stuck by his feathers, desperately struggling to free himself. There were seven glue traps found around the property, which had been baited with cheese. It’s actually illegal for the public to use glue traps to catch rodents in England, Scotland and Wales. Hardly any of the public are aware of this though, and glue traps continue to be widely sold online, often marketed for catching insects (which is bad enough). The homeowner where the magpie was trapped said they were unaware that glue traps were illegal, and they had assumed that they were fine to use as they had bought it through Amazon. Amazon’s customer reviews leave little doubt these devices are being used to target rats and mice in the UK. Just a warning, the following images are pretty horrific. But I think they’re important to see. What you can do right now The animation has reached 10 million people. Now we need those people to act. Amazon continues to sell glue traps. We’re calling on them to stop - and we need your voice backing that demand. SIGN THE PETITION Aside from urging major retailers to stop sales, we hope this animation will help to raise awareness of glue traps and stop people from using them. There is no humane way to use a glue trap - not for insects, not for mice, not for anything. They are cruel by design. Instead, we recommend a non-lethal humane trap, or to contact somewhere like Humane Wildlife Solutions, who voiced our animation. SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2026 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing

FROM CORNWALL WILDLIFE TRUST - AN AWARD FOR TEMPERATE RAIN FOREST SONSERVATION

National climate award winners Dear John We’re delighted to share some exciting with you. Our temperate rainforest restoration project has won a national climate award, in tough competition from across the UK! After a nomination from South East Cornwall MP Anna Gelderd, the project was selected as a winner of ‘The Pride in Our Planet Awards’, by an independent judging panel chaired by Climate Minister Katie White MP. Read the full story This award highlights the importance of temperate rainforest, one of the UK’s rarest and most often overlooked habitats, with only around 1% remaining today. Thanks to your support, we’re restoring rainforest right here in Cornwall. This year has already seen us plant nearly 5,000 native trees at West Muchlarnick, working alongside volunteers, local schools, community groups, and businesses. And this is just the beginning. Over time, the project is expected to capture around 10,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, alongside so many other benefits like improving habitat for wildlife, supporting communities, and increasing resilience to climate change. And we can’t do any of this without your support, so thank you for being part of our journey. From all the team, Cornwall Wildlife Trust #BecauseDoingChangesThings #WorldRainforestDay Proud to be a member of the South West Rainforest Alliance. View this email in your browser Facebook icon Instagram icon YouTube icon LinkedIn icon © 2026 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 BUMBLEBEE CONSERVATION TRUST

view online Bumblebee Conservation Trust logo Bumblebee on white and pink flower with another bumblebee in flight to the right This week is National Insect Week! Despite the changeable June weather, the longer days and warmer temperatures are ideal for the humble bumblebee. Most nests are now well established, with workers and males actively foraging... even when it rains! Did you see? The Buff-tailed bumblebee has made the shortlist to feature on future banknotes! Cast your vote today and give bumblebees the spotlight they deserve. The Big Insect Rescue results published 📰 Two bumblebees and a butterfly on purple and white flower with blue sky Last autumn, we ran a survey alongside Butterfly Conservation and Buglife, to gather people's opinions on how everyone in the UK can work together to protect insects. Thousands of people responded, and the results have just been published. You can read about what people said were their top priorities to tackle insect declines. Find out what people want to see 📝 Show 'bee' the money! Vote today 💷 Illustration showing bumblebee on different denomination of notes in purple, green and reds The Buff-tailed bumblebee has made the shortlist to feature on the new banknotes … and you can help make it happen! The Bank of England is designing its next series of banknotes around the theme of UK wildlife, and public votes will help shape the decision about which animals will be chosen. This is a rare chance to champion this bumblebee, a species we all love, while shining a spotlight on the vital role pollinators play in our lives. You can read our blog about this, or go here to cast your vote right away! You only have until 3 July to have your say! Read our bumblebee banknote blog 🐝💷 Finding dead bumblebees 🐝 Two photos showing a Red-tailed bumblebee lying on back and on side by pot We often hear people ask questions when they find dead bumblebees. It can be sad to see a dead bumblebee but, because many of them only live for a few weeks, it’s not unusual to find them throughout the spring, summer, and autumn. There are several reasons why a bumblebee may have died. You can find out more on our Frequently Asked Questions page. You'll also find the answer to other common queries such as: “do bumblebees sting?”, “do bumblebees swarm?”, and “should I help a tired bumblebee?” Our FAQs have the answers! Frequently asked questions❔ The perfect summer doubles match: 🍓+ 🐝 Image of feet and tennis ball with graphic of strawberry design on items including water bottle We're 'serving' up fresh inspiration just in time for Wimbledon with our NEW strawberries and bumblebee inspired design! Hand-picked just for you, let's celebrate the vital role bumblebees play in pollinating strawberries. A winning combination you'll 'love' 💚🥎 Shop collection 🛒 Bumblebee in the spotlight Bumblebee hanging from a pink love heart shaped flower The Garden bumblebee (Bombus hortorum) is one of the Big Eight common and widespread bumblebees. Let's take a closer look. Meet the Garden bumblebee Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Registered Charity No: 1115634 / Scottish Charity No: SC042830. © 2026 Bumblebee Conservation Trust. All rights reserved. You are receiving this newsletter because you are already a member, subscribed via our website, an event or when becoming a volunteer. 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

PROTECT THE WILD—SILENT KILLING OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES USING POISON

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more From hedgehogs to buzzards, Britain's wildlife is being quietly killed by rodenticide poisons Rodenticides aren't just a threat to rats and mice. Countless non-target animals are silently killed every year too. ELIZA EGRET AND TOM ANDERSON JUN 22 READ IN APP This is the second in a series of articles highlighting the need to ban rodenticides in the UK. Last week, we explored how UK councils are failing in their legal obligations to avoid causing unnecessary suffering. You can read the article here. In the coming weeks we will outline how poisons affect the water system too, and we will examine how humane alternatives can be used to control rodent populations. We will be making the case for local councils and private users to radically change their approaches to wildlife control in our communities. Rodenticides cause a slow, agonising death to rats and mice. But how many people know about the other silent victims of the poisons deployed by both local authorities and private users like farmers and gamekeepers? Companion animals, birds of prey, hedgehogs, foxes, badgers, bees and grey squirrels are being harmed or killed in the UK by Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs). We break down the available figures below. Countless other non-target animals suffer or die from consuming rodenticide without the ‘pest’ controllers, local authorities or the general public ever noticing. How does rodenticide harm non-target animals? There are two ways that non-target animals are killed by rodenticides: through primary poisoning, where an animal directly eats the bait, or through secondary poisoning, where an animal eats a creature which itself has eaten the bait. The suffering of a target species and the poisoning of non-target predators are not accidental outcomes. They are in the very design of SGARs. After eating a rodenticide bait, the animal may continue to consume more of the poison, unaware of its toxicity. The compounds accumulate in the body’s tissues, steadily preventing the capacity to clot blood, until the animal eventually dies from internal bleeding. This prolonged and agonising death is not an acceptable way to treat any animal, yet councils, pest-controllers, farmers and gamekeepers directly cause this suffering. The risk to predators through secondary poisoning is huge. For days after consuming the first bait, an animal remains alive, becoming more catchable as she becomes lethargic. A predator who then catches her ingests the same poison. Brodifacoum is one of the most potent and persistent SGARs available, and its use is growing as rodents develop resistance to other anticoagulants. Once ingested through secondary poisoning, it can remain in a predator’s body for more than 100 days. Every other poisoned animal consumed by the predator adds to the accumulating dose, meaning that the predator does not need to swallow a single large dose to be killed; the animal simply needs to keep eating. Ineffective attempt at regulation Secondary poisoning has been so prolific that in 2015 the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) forced the pest control industry and the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide use (CRRU) to create new Code of Best Practice guidelines, as part of the Rodenticide Stewardship Scheme. However, a decade after its creation, the Rodenticide Stewardship Scheme has largely failed to deliver on its promise of meaningfully reducing wildlife exposure to SGAR residues. This failure can be clearly seen in the escalating number of non-target animals poisoned since the scheme’s inception. UK lagging behind in terms of legislation On a European level, rodenticides have been included on the European Union’s (EU) list of regulated biocidal products since the early 2000s. The EU regulations regarding the use of these products became more stringent with the introduction of the Biocidal Products Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 in 2013. The EU does allow the continued use of rodenticides, but only on a conditional basis. Namely, that rodenticides are used as a last resort. This has led both the Netherlands and Switzerland to ban the use of anticoagulant rodenticides for private users and adopt an Integrated Pest Management approach which prioritises preventative solutions and only uses rodenticides as a last resort. In the Netherlands, cholecalciferol-based rodenticides were banned too, and strict controls were placed on ‘pest’ control contractors. In the case of Switzerland, the legislative moves came after the publication of a Swiss study of deaths of non-target wildlife in 2022, which documented the effects on songbirds, foxes, birds of prey, hedgehogs, otters and fish. The report indicated “widespread contamination of the aquatic and terrestrial environment” by rodenticide poisons. Unsurprisingly, considering Brexit, the UK is lagging behind in terms of recognising the scale of the problem and protecting British wildlife. In 2024, in response to the alarming rise in the numbers of non-target wildlife killed, the use of SGARs in open areas such as fields was banned. However, rodenticides, including the highly-toxic brodifacoum, can still be used around buildings. The new regulations are likely to do little to protect non-target species falling victim to rodenticide poisoning. The animals killed Birds of Prey In November 2024, Wild Justice published a report titled Collateral Damage: The Rodenticide Stewardship Scheme – is it working?. The group used Freedom of Information requests to obtain laboratory test results submitted to the Health and Safety Executive’s Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS). The WIIS is a UK government monitoring programme that investigates the deaths of wildlife suspected to have been caused by pesticide poisoning. Wild Justice analysed the test results on the bodies of 366 buzzards and 173 red kites submitted in England between 2005 and 2022. Shockingly most of the buzzards and red kites WIIS analysed had traces of SGARS in their livers. Wild Justice also found that since the introduction of the Rodenticide Stewardship Scheme, the concentration of SGARs found in examined birds has been increasing, not decreasing. Wild Justice pointed out that - together with birds of prey being unintended victims of public ‘pest’ control schemes - SGARs were being used by farmers and gamekeepers to illegally kill them. This strengthens the case for a ban on the use of rodenticides as, if possession was illegal, it would be much more difficult to use them to illegally kill protected birds. Foxes A 2025 report published by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, titled SGARs in Mammals and Predatory Birds, also analysed data from the WIIS. The report shows that the red fox is one of the most heavily contaminated mammals of all the species studied, with a mean liver SGAR concentration of 993 ng/g. This is far higher than any of the predatory birds and roughly five times higher than the badger. Of the 127 foxes tested between 2006 and 2021, contamination levels increased significantly over the monitoring period. The proportion of foxes with detectable SGAR residues rose sharply from 75% before 2015 to 93% after the regulatory change, meaning that since 2016, 93% of the foxes tested have been found to carry rodenticide in their livers. Notably, this includes a significant rise in bromadiolone and brodifacoum. These findings show that neither the regulatory framework nor the CRRU’s industry-led stewardship regime has succeeded in protecting foxes from increasing contamination. Foxes are scavengers, and the urban habitats they live in are likely to provide greater opportunity to encounter SGAR-contaminated rodents or their carcasses, potentially combined with a higher prevalence of rodenticide-resistant rats that require repeated or stronger treatment. Hedgehogs Despite being a beloved and increasingly threatened species, the hedgehog fares poorly in the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology report’s analysis, although the data is limited. Of the 11 hedgehogs tested by WIIS between 2007 and 2021, 55% were found to carry detectable SGAR residues in their livers, with a mean concentration of 12.5 ng/g. The sample size is extremely small and the findings should be treated with caution. Nevertheless, the fact that over half of the hedgehogs tested showed detectable contamination is concerning, particularly given that hedgehogs are already under severe pressure from habitat loss, road deaths and declining invertebrate populations. It is also telling that the WIIS data for hedgehogs is so sparse, and likely reflects how rarely poisoned hedgehogs are found and submitted for testing rather than any genuine rarity of exposure. Badgers Of the 55 badgers tested by WIIS in England and Wales between 2006 and 2021, just over half (56%) showed detectable SGAR residues before 2015, rising to 71% after the regulation change. More striking is the picture for brodifacoum specifically: detectable residues were found in just 18% of badgers before 2015, rising sharply to 62% afterwards, a statistically significant increase. Mean liver SGAR concentration across the whole period was 186 ng/g, though some individuals showed extremely high concentrations, with a maximum of 2,843 ng/g recorded. The significant upward trend in brodifacoum residues is consistent with the pattern seen across most other species in the report, pointing again to brodifacoum as the compound of greatest and growing concern. Grey squirrels The grey squirrel data in the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology report is striking but must be treated with considerable caution given the very small sample size. Of the 16 grey squirrel cadavers tested by the WIIS in England and Wales between 2006 and 2021, 56% showed SGAR residues below the limit of quantification, suggesting low or no detectable exposure. However, four individuals (25% of the sample) showed extremely high liver SGAR concentrations ranging between 811 and 6,500 ng/g, pulling the mean up to 1,175 ng/g - the highest mean of any species in the study. What the grey squirrel figures illustrate most clearly is not a reliable picture of population-level exposure, but the potential for catastrophic individual-level poisoning when a squirrel does encounter rodenticide-contaminated food. Companion animals Annual reports from the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) provide a detailed picture of animal poisoning cases in the UK, and show how companion animals are affected by SGARs. The 2025 report draws on data from 32,000 cases during the year. Anticoagulant rodenticides were the third most common agent across all species in 2025, accounting for 2.9% of all agents recorded, behind only chocolate and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This ranking is described by the report as unchanged from previous years, indicating that SGAR poisoning is a persistent and recurring concern in UK veterinary practice. In dogs specifically, anticoagulant rodenticides were again the third most common enquiry, making up 5.9% of all dog-related agent enquiries. The most frequently recorded individual compounds in dogs were brodifacoum (559 cases), difenacoum (424 cases) and bromadiolone (278 cases). Data from the WIIS, analysed by Protect the Wild, also documents several reported cases of poisoning of dogs with rodenticides. These incidents are directly linked to local authority and contractors laying poisons. SGARs also appeared in enquiries relating to rabbits (4.7% of rabbit cases), birds (17.9% of bird cases) horses and donkeys (19.4% of equine cases), indicating that exposure is not limited to domestic pets but extends across a wide range of animals. Next week, Protect the Wild will take a look at the effect of SGARs on our seas and rivers as well as on fish, otters and seabirds. Our demand: An immediate end to rodenticide use Protect the Wild is demanding a complete and immediate ban on the use of rodenticide baits. Rodenticides are killing non-target wildlife: Poison bait placed outside does not and cannot discriminate between target and non-target species. Killing protected wildlife is a crime. Rodenticides are causing unnecessary suffering: The slow, agonising death inflicted by SGARs – which cause internal bleeding over many days – may itself constitute an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which prohibits the causing of unnecessary suffering to animals. We are already obliged to do better: Existing legislation, as well as the pest control industry’s guidelines, require that preventative methods such as rodent proofing and prevention measures are exhausted before any rodenticide is used. The routine use of poison bait as a first resort is likely unlawful. Humane solutions are not complicated and there are companies out there who follow an ethical approach to managing wildlife in public areas. Check out Humane Wildlife Solutions, for example. As animal rights advocates, we urgently need to step up efforts to stop the silent killing of our wildlife by SGARs and other poisons. We need to make our case loudly and set out the alternatives clearly. The routine use of lethal poisons causes immeasurable suffering and it needs to stop. SHARE LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2026 Protect the Wild Protect the Wild, 71-75 Shelton Street Covent Garden, London, W2CH 9JQ Unsubscribe Start writing