A review of the use of firearms on land managed by Natural Resources Wales Paper 2 Synthesis of Evidence 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 3 2. Background .................................................................................................................... 3 3. Methodology .................................................................................................................. 3 Section 4: Key points arising from the evidence ............................................................ 4 4. Our use of firearms for managing wild species impacting on the achievement of NRW objectives .................................................................................................................. 4 4.1 Background .............................................................................................................. 4 4.2 Economic impact ...................................................................................................... 5 4.2.1 Evidence ........................................................................................................................ 5 4.2.2 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 5 4.4 Evidence-based policy for deer management ....................................................... 5 4.4.1 Evidence ........................................................................................................................ 6 4.4.2 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 6 4.5 Impacts of deer populations on biodiversity ......................................................... 6 4.5.1 Evidence ........................................................................................................................ 6 4.5.2 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 7 4.6 Impacts of other species on biodiversity ............................................................... 7 4.6.1 Evidence ........................................................................................................................ 7 4.6.2 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 7 4.7 Predator control for priority species ...................................................................... 8 4.7.1 Evidence ........................................................................................................................ 8 4.7.2 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 8 4.8 Management methods ............................................................................................. 8 4.8.1 Evidence ........................................................................................................................ 8 4.8.2 Fertility control ................................................................................................................ 9 4.8.4 Forest design /exclosures ............................................................................................. 11 4.8.5 Effects of not managing grazing and browsing animals ................................................ 11 4.8.6 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 11 4.9 Protecting deer welfare .......................................................................................... 12 4.9.1 Evidence ...................................................................................................................... 12 4.9.2 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 12 4.10 Lead ammunition .................................................................................................. 12 4.10.1 Evidence .................................................................................................................... 12 4.10.2 Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 13 4.11 Achieving the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources ....................... 13 4.12 Contribution to the Well-being of Future Generations goals ........................... 13 4.13 Summary ............................................................................................................... 13 5. Other people’s use of firearms for managing wild species that impact our neighbour’s land management objectives .................................................................... 14 5.1 Background ............................................................................................................ 14 www.naturalresourceswales.gov.uk Page 1 of 41 5.2 Impact on livestock ................................................................................................ 14 5.2.1 Evidence ...................................................................................................................... 14 5.2.2 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 15 5.3 Impact on wild birds ............................................................................................... 16 5.3.1 Evidence ...................................................................................................................... 16 5.3.2 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 16 5.4 Alternatives ............................................................................................................. 16 5.4.1 Evidence ...................................................................................................................... 17 5.4.2 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 17 5.5 Achieving the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources ......................... 17 5.6 Contribution to the Well-being of Future Generations goals ............................. 18 5.7 Summary ................................................................................................................. 18 6. Our leasing of land for game shooting and other pursuits using firearms ............ 18 6.1 Background ............................................................................................................ 18 6.2 Farmed birds, rearing, holding pens and release ................................................ 19 6.2.1 Evidence ...................................................................................................................... 19 6.2.2 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 19 6.3 Evidence of risk to biodiversity ............................................................................ 19 6.3.1 Presence of gamebirds ................................................................................................. 19 6.3.2 Gamebird release and holding pens ............................................................................. 20 6.3.3 Research gaps from Bicknell et al (2010) ..................................................................... 21 6.3.4 Impacts on predators and predation dynamics ............................................................. 21 6.3.5 Code of Good Practice ................................................................................................. 22 6.3.6 Wildfowling ................................................................................................................... 22 6.3.7 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 22 6.4 Use of lead shot ...................................................................................................... 23 6.4.1 Wildlife, human health and environment ....................................................................... 23 6.4.2 Defra Lead Ammunition Group report (2015) ................................................................ 24 6.4.3 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 26 6.5 Disease .................................................................................................................... 26 6.5.1 Evidence ...................................................................................................................... 26 6.5.2 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 27 6.6 Economy ................................................................................................................. 28 6.6.1 Evidence ...................................................................................................................... 28 6.6.1 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 29 6.7 Evidence for cohesive communities and Well-being