British country pastime is SAVED at High Court from Labour crackdown

Natural England's crackdown on pheasant shooting has been blocked by the High Court, with a judge branding the Government's nature watchdog "irrational".

The quango had attempted to curb the countryside activity by requiring landowners to secure licences before releasing game birds.

The British Association of Shooting and Conservation (BASC) mounted a legal challenge against these measures, arguing the regulator had overstepped its authority in limiting pheasant and partridge releases.

The quango justified its crackdown over claims game birds might contract avian flu and spread it to other species.

On Thursday, the High Court found in BASC's favour and shot down Natural England.

Mr Justice Ritchie said: "I consider that the disputed condition imposed on BASC members banning the keeping of game birds in special protected areas was irrational due to the defendant misinterpreting the scope of their powers."

BASC chief executive Ian Bell said: "This judgment is not about shooting versus a Government regulator.

"It is about the simple principle that public bodies must act within the law, just as they expect everyone else to."

He added: "We did everything we could to avoid this. We engaged with Natural England's leadership... and we were ignored."

The shooting organisation is now weighing up whether to pursue the Government for its legal costs.

Natural England has also indicated it intends to seek permission to challenge the ruling.

This judgment comes amid a series of rows laid out at the watchdog's door.

Last month, the body sparked uproar by proposing strict limits on the number of Dartmoor ponies, sparking concerns about a potential cull.

Agricultural groups have also condemned the quango for cracking down on farming on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).

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Critics viewed the pheasant shooting restrictions as another example of Labour's war on the countryside - alongside the controversial family farm tax and pledges to outlaw trail hunting.

The licensing requirements had caused disruption to shoots across protected sites in Britain, notably on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire and Norfolk's Breckland region.

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group for shooting and conservation, said: "I am delighted that the High Court has come out in favour of BASC's argument and that common sense has prevailed."

While Mr Bell said: "BASC has continually argued that the countryside needs a regulator that works.

"A new Government must choose change and we are willing to be part of that conversation to protect the future of rural Britain."

A Natural England spokesman said: “Natural England has received the court’s judgment in a legal challenge brought by BASC concerning licence conditions that regulate the release of game birds on or near protected wildlife sites.

“We are seeking to try to ensure the implications don’t take immediate effect and will also be seeking permission to appeal.”

Britain is considered one of the foremost game shooting destinations on Earth, with tourists travelling from all over to shoot pheasant, grouse, and partridge across its fields and moors.

The practice has taken place in Britain since the 16th century, albeit on a smaller scale.

Game hunting expanded in the mid-19th century when the breech loading shotgun was invented.

Shooting provides 26,000 full-time jobs, almost all of which are in rural areas, the British Association of Shooting and Conservation says.

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