Activists fined for removal of anti-wildlife netting

This direct action to remove anti-wildlife netting was taken by four people after the local Wildlife Trust, Powys County Council Ecologist (in line with government guidelines) and others asked that a stretch of the netting be removed. The landowner (a county councillor who also sits on the planning committee) refused.

Following a newspaper article, the netting was put up against guidelines and calls for removal unheeded. With its threat to wildlife (there are 70 birds now on the UK Red List for birds: bto.org/bocc) the group decided to remove it.

On 29^th November 2021 they were found guilty of criminal damage with intent, and encouraging such. As expected, their not - guilty plea was rejected and they were fined a total of £1,741. They had carefully removed around 100m of anti-wildlife netting.

Despite legislation protecting wildlife and hedgerows and Wales’ recognition of the climate and ecological emergency; the Future Generation Act (Wales) 2015; and Environment (Wales) Act 2016, wildlife protection is still so limited in the courts.

While the four expect to pay the full amount themselves a friend suggested that others may want to help them and crowdfunding would make that possible.

This example of how our wildlife is not protected will be raised with the Welsh Assembly.

If you feel strongly about protecting our diminishing wildlife please support these people and help defend our countryside.

https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news-original/news/stories/use-of-netting/

https://nation.cymru/news/concerns-raised-over-hedgerow-netting-that-stops-birds-nesting/

Police interview Mid Wales campaigners over bird netting removal | Shropshire Star

Stop Ecocide International