The 2025 general licences for the release of common pheasant and red-legged partridge in and around Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) in England have yet to be published, leaving affected shoots in a state of uncertainty. With the previous licences expiring on 1 February 2025, the release of these birds in those areas is currently an offence, creating significant challenges for estates and businesses reliant on game shooting.
While the first releases are still months away, delays in licensing create major problems for those affected. The uncertainty has become a recurring issue, with licensing structures changing frequently, making long-term planning difficult for shoot operators. The livelihoods of those employed in the sector—and the retailers supplying them—are at risk due to continued political indecision.
For the shooting industry, delays to GL43 (covering SACs) and uncertainty over GL45 (which applied to certain SPAs in 2024) pose serious economic risks. Should GL45 not be issued, affected shoots would be forced to apply for individual licences, requiring significant extra paperwork and bureaucracy at short notice. This would not only strain businesses directly involved in shooting but also impact gun shops, ammunition suppliers, and outdoor retailers that rely on game shooting to drive sales.
Industry bodies have been engaging with Defra’s gamebird licensing team and have urged the Minister responsible to issue the licences without further delay. However, with no confirmed timeline, concerns are mounting over how retailers and the wider gun trade will be affected if shoots are forced to reduce operations or cancel plans altogether.
The past six months have seen increasing frustration from the countryside sector over government actions, including the sudden closure of the Sustainable Farming Initiative. With what many see as a lack of engagement from ministers, the continued uncertainty over GL43 and GL45 is another cause for concern. If licences are not issued promptly, the effects could ripple through the entire supply chain, from shoot organisers to retailers, hospitality businesses, and conservation projects.
With the general licence deadline having already passed, the trade is now looking to the Minister’s response for clarity. As gamebird release season approaches, retailers and suppliers will need urgent answers to avoid further disruption to an industry already facing mounting challenges.
You can read the full April 2025 issue below:
