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Chris Packham slams 'shameful' silence of Britain's conservation charities Chris Packham slams 'shameful' silence of Britain's conservation charities
(1 day later)
Chris Packham has slammed the “shameful” silence of some of Britain’s major conservation charities on fox hunting, the badger cull and the plight of hen harriers.Chris Packham has slammed the “shameful” silence of some of Britain’s major conservation charities on fox hunting, the badger cull and the plight of hen harriers.
In his column in this month’s BBC Wildlife Magazine, the TV presenter and naturalist said: “We want more action from Britain’s conservation leaders, not the fence-sitting and ineffectual risk-avoidance that have contributed to the mess we’re in now.”In his column in this month’s BBC Wildlife Magazine, the TV presenter and naturalist said: “We want more action from Britain’s conservation leaders, not the fence-sitting and ineffectual risk-avoidance that have contributed to the mess we’re in now.”
He accused the charities of selectivity over which species they chose to protect and said they were “hamstrung by outdated liaisons with the ‘nasty brigade’ and can’t risk upsetting old friends” in the rural and shooting communities.He accused the charities of selectivity over which species they chose to protect and said they were “hamstrung by outdated liaisons with the ‘nasty brigade’ and can’t risk upsetting old friends” in the rural and shooting communities.
When the Tory government attempted to repeal laws banning fox hunting in July, said Packham, “notably absent were campaigning voices from the headquarters of two of our largest wildlife conservation organisations, the RSPB and Wildlife Trusts. From them we heard precisely nothing.”When the Tory government attempted to repeal laws banning fox hunting in July, said Packham, “notably absent were campaigning voices from the headquarters of two of our largest wildlife conservation organisations, the RSPB and Wildlife Trusts. From them we heard precisely nothing.”
Just days later, when the government announced the expansion of its badger cull in an effort to control bovine TB, he said, these same charities “once again … remained ominously silent”. He noted that some regional subsidiaries of the Wildilfe Trusts were vocal on the issue.Just days later, when the government announced the expansion of its badger cull in an effort to control bovine TB, he said, these same charities “once again … remained ominously silent”. He noted that some regional subsidiaries of the Wildilfe Trusts were vocal on the issue.
But the RSPB, Wildlife Trusts, Hawk and Owl Trust and National Trust said Packham’s criticisms were baseless.But the RSPB, Wildlife Trusts, Hawk and Owl Trust and National Trust said Packham’s criticisms were baseless.
“Charities will do everything they can within their resources,” said Martin Harper, the RSPB’s director of conservation. The RSPB and Wildlife Trusts said the issue of fox hunting was a humane issue, and outside their remit as conservation organisations. Both groups said they had consistently criticised and campaigned against the badger cull, which Harper said was based on bad science.“Charities will do everything they can within their resources,” said Martin Harper, the RSPB’s director of conservation. The RSPB and Wildlife Trusts said the issue of fox hunting was a humane issue, and outside their remit as conservation organisations. Both groups said they had consistently criticised and campaigned against the badger cull, which Harper said was based on bad science.
Packham, who is a vice-president at the RSPB, saved his most severe rebuke for what he saw as the failure of the National Trust, Hawk and Owl Trust and Wildlife Trusts central office to support the recent hen harrier day.Packham, who is a vice-president at the RSPB, saved his most severe rebuke for what he saw as the failure of the National Trust, Hawk and Owl Trust and Wildlife Trusts central office to support the recent hen harrier day.
Hen harriers are England’s rarest birds of prey. Conservationists believe some gamekeepers continue to shoot and poison the birds when they appear on managed grouse moors. Some of the groups and activists involved in hen harrier day are demanding that the UK government ban driven grouse shooting.Hen harriers are England’s rarest birds of prey. Conservationists believe some gamekeepers continue to shoot and poison the birds when they appear on managed grouse moors. Some of the groups and activists involved in hen harrier day are demanding that the UK government ban driven grouse shooting.
Packham said: “As grouse moor owners who allow driven grouse shoots, the poor souls at the National Trust are in an awkward position – so much so that they clearly struggle to discern right from wrong. It’s a shame – though not as shameful as the absence of any support from both the Wildlife Trusts central office and the Hawk and Owl Trust.”Packham said: “As grouse moor owners who allow driven grouse shoots, the poor souls at the National Trust are in an awkward position – so much so that they clearly struggle to discern right from wrong. It’s a shame – though not as shameful as the absence of any support from both the Wildlife Trusts central office and the Hawk and Owl Trust.”
The Wildlife Trusts said central office staff had supported the event through their presence on the day, social media and blogs.The Wildlife Trusts said central office staff had supported the event through their presence on the day, social media and blogs.
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A spokeswoman for the Hawk and Owl Trust said they had issued press releases and posts on social media supporting the day “wholeheartedly”. She said Packham was “sad that we won’t come out and say ‘ban grouse shooting’. But to us, that’s a death knell ... You’ve got to work with the landowners.”A spokeswoman for the Hawk and Owl Trust said they had issued press releases and posts on social media supporting the day “wholeheartedly”. She said Packham was “sad that we won’t come out and say ‘ban grouse shooting’. But to us, that’s a death knell ... You’ve got to work with the landowners.”
A spokesman for the National Trust said the trust’s general manager for the Peak district, Jon Stewart, had attended hen harrier day events for the past two years and the trust was listed as a supporting organisation. “I’m not sure what else [Packham] expects us to do.”A spokesman for the National Trust said the trust’s general manager for the Peak district, Jon Stewart, had attended hen harrier day events for the past two years and the trust was listed as a supporting organisation. “I’m not sure what else [Packham] expects us to do.”