The Labour government is considering introducing a licensing regime for game shooting in response to pressure from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). The move follows a request from Beccy Speight, chief executive of the RSPB, who called for urgent action on the issue in a letter to then-Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds earlier this year.
Ms. Speight urged ministers to bring forward legislation to regulate game bird shooting, citing concerns about the potential for released game birds to spread avian influenza to wild bird populations. Although the RSPB typically maintains a neutral stance on shooting, the organisation’s call for licensing reflects what it says is "increasing evidence" of environmental risks associated with the practice. This position was highlighted after the government did not include stricter controls on game shooting in Labour’s December 2025 animal welfare strategy.
In response to the letter, the government included a proposal to license game shooting within its recently published land use framework, setting out plans for countryside management and use. The announcement came as a surprise to many in the shooting community, as the land use framework had not been expected to address shooting regulations.
Representatives of shooting interests strongly criticised the RSPB’s involvement. Tim Bonner, head of the Countryside Alliance, described the group's influence on government policy as “undue.” Meanwhile, the government sought to downplay the extent of the RSPB’s impact, with a spokesman emphasising that no final policy decision has been made and that any measures would be based on evidence.
Ms. Speight defended the RSPB’s position, stating that the organisation works transparently with governments of all parties to inform decisions affecting nature and wildlife. She noted that their support for licensing game bird shoots is a well-established and publicly stated stance grounded in environmental evidence.
The proposal has drawn attention to the economic significance of game shooting, particularly in Scotland. A recent report by the Angus Glens Moorland Group and Scottish Land & Estates estimates that the grouse-shooting season generates approximately £32 million annually and supports around 11,000 full-time jobs across Scotland, including 2,640 directly related to grouse shooting. The broader country sports sector contributes an estimated £155 million annually to the Scottish economy.
Ross Ewing, director of moorland and strategic projects at Scottish Land & Estates, highlighted the importance of the industry for rural communities. He indicated that moorland management and grouse shooting create sustained employment, bolstering local businesses, preserving rural skills, and supporting conservation efforts across Scotland’s upland areas.
As discussions continue, the debate over balancing environmental concerns with rural economic interests remains central to the government’s consideration of regulating game shooting.