Welsh Government consults on hare & seal protections
Born Free welcomes proposal for stronger protections and invites supporters to respond to the consultation.
(c) Amy Asher, Unsplash
Born Free has welcomed a new Wild Animal Welfare White Paper consultation from the Welsh Government, which proposes vital new protections for hares and seals in Wales, and is urging ministers to turn the proposals into law.
The consultation, which opened on 21st September, seeks views on two important measures: introducing a statutory close season for hares during their breeding period, and creating a new offence of intentionally or recklessly disturbing seals.
Born Free strongly supports both proposals.
While Scotland, Northern Ireland, and most other European countries ban the shooting of hares during their critical breeding season, no such protection currently exists in England and Wales. Indeed, hares are the only ‘game’ species for which there is no close season.
As a result, many thousands of adult hares are shot for ‘sport’ when pregnant or nursing, leading to the death of countless dependent leverets (young hares) through starvation or being preyed upon by other animals, and contributing to the precipitous decline in hare numbers over the past century. Born Free has been campaigning for many years to put this right.
Wales is also home to internationally important populations of grey seals. Disturbance by people, including those using boats, paddleboards, kayaks and drones, can cause significant welfare impacts, particularly where mothers and pups become separated. A specific offence for seal disturbance would help address an important gap in existing legislation.
Born Free’s Head of Policy, veterinarian Dr Mark Jones, said: “We welcome these important and progressive proposals and urge the Welsh Government to move quickly to introduce the necessary legislation to protect both hares and seals, ensuring that it applies to both deliberate and reckless actions which result in the disturbance or taking of these species, and that any exemptions are subject to the strictest criteria. This will address serious anomalies in Welsh wildlife protection, as well as sending a strong signal to the Westminster government that it should introduce similar measures in England.
“Born Free will be submitting a direct response to the consultation, and we also encourage Born Free supporters and everyone who cares about the future of these iconic species to do the same and make their voices heard. Together, we can help secure a safer future for hares and seals in Wales.”
The consultation, is open for submissions from the public until 19th October, and is not restricted to Welsh residents. Supporters wishing to submit a response should state that they are in full support of both proposals, and give their reasons why.