Wild Justice v Natural Resources Wales [2021] EWHC 35 (Admin)

The High Court has rejected a judicial review challenge by conservation group Wild Justice to general licences granted by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), which permit certain species of wild birds to be killed. The licences were granted under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and permit killing to prevent damage or disease to livestock or crops, protect public health and conserve other species of wild birds. Wild Justice had argued that NRW did not have sufficient evidence that allowing the birds to be killed would achieve the purposes for which the licences were granted, and that the licences did not sufficiently specify the circumstances in which they could be used.

Timothy Corner QC and Heather Sargent appeared for NRW, Richard Moules for the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and David Elvin QC and Matthew Dale-Harris for the British Association for Shooting and Conservation.

Click here for the judgment.