Could pheasant and partridge really be considered invasive non-native species?
Could pheasant and partridge really be considered invasive non-native species? Taking to its conclusion the logical argument brought to light by the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO) in its response to a public consultation on the issue, they could be. The NGO has drawn to public attention the fact that the draft GB Invasive Non-native Species Framework Strategy, from DEFRA, the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly, is unclear in its definition of what exactly constitutes a non-native species. The purpose of the strategy is to co-ordinate responses from Government and other relevant bodies to the threat posed to native flora and fauna by alien species such as mink and grey squirrels, or by alien flora such as Japanese knotweed. With regard to recent reintroductions, however, the NGO argues in its response “that if species such as boar and beaver are being allowed — despite their potential downsides — simply because ‘they were once here’, what guarantee is there that officia
