Consultation to ban the shooting of white-fronted geese in Wales
12 Feb 2013 02:28 PM
Environment Minister John Griffiths has launched a consultation that looks to ban shooting of both breeds of white-fronted geese that visit Wales. The ban would come into force on 1 September.
Two breeds of white-fronted geese winter in the UK - the endangered Greenland and the more common Eurasian (or European). The proposal recognises the difficulty of distinguishing between the two breeds under field conditions.
The UK is an important migration destination for the Greenland white-front, with around half the world’s population visiting during winter. The Welsh Government wants to take steps to increase protection of these geese and meet its international conservation obligations.
The Minister said:
“The Welsh Government is committed to conserving the wildlife of Wales. I encourage anyone with an interest in this matter to contribute to our consultation.”
Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, these breeds of goose may be killed outside of the ‘closed season’ in England and Wales. The closed season is 1 February – 31 August or, for wild geese, in or over any area below high-water mark of ordinary spring tides, between 21 February – 31 August.
The consultation can be accessed on the Welsh Government website and will close on 19 April.
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