Lobbying by Invitation

When Natural England decided to review its policies in relation to the uplands last year there were 54 invitations sent out requesting responses. A large part of the uplands is in public ownership of one sort and another. Much of that in private hands is also in receipt of a considerable state subsidy, especially if sheep are put on the hills. It's interesting to see the list of those invited. It includes the following many of which overlap considerably so can confidently be expected to respond in almost identical ways. There's also a good chance that many of the same people are members of several.

British Association for Shooting and Conservation

Burning Group  

National Gamekeepers Organisation

Country Land and Business Association

Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust

Heather Trust

Moorland Association 

Moors for the Future 

National Common Land Stakeholder Group including:

Federation of Cumbrian Commoners

Federation of Yorkshire Commoners and Graziers

Pastoral Alliance

National Farmers’ Union

National Sheep Association

Peatscapes

South West Uplands Federation

Tenant Farmers Association

The Grasslands Trust

Upland Hill Farmers

Upper Teesdale Grazing Forum

I'm wondering what chance there is of a fresh approach coming out when  so many of those asked have the same very one sided view.  Many of these groups are old hands in using lobbying and behind the scenes influence to skew our landscapes the way that suits them - a farmed and worked land where the only that wildlife that's welcome is that which can't affect their own plans. What is most galling is the way this approach is also imposed on public land.