The Moorland Association (MA) has warned that Natural England’s latest stakeholder survey risks sidelining the voices of those who manage the uplands and could lead to policies with damaging consequences for the rural shooting economy.
The consultation, launched by Natural England earlier this year, is intended to gather views on its engagement and performance as the government’s adviser for the natural environment in England. However, the MA has criticised the process, arguing that it focuses on feedback from formal organisations while excluding responses from land managers, gamekeepers and community groups — those with firsthand experience of running upland estates and shoots.
Andrew Gilruth, chief executive of the Moorland Association, told Shooting Times: “This survey isn’t about listening, it’s about manufacturing consent. By only allowing answers that flatter Natural England’s agenda, it has ensured the results will say exactly what it wants, not what the countryside actually thinks.”
The association warned that by excluding practical expertise, Natural England risks shaping future land management policies that do not reflect on-the-ground realities. For the shooting trade, such decisions could have far-reaching implications, affecting the viability of upland shoots and the wider network of rural businesses that depend on them, including game dealers, equipment suppliers and retailers.
Responding to the criticism, a spokesperson for Natural England said: “[Our] work is shaped by those we work with – while our annual stakeholder survey provides valuable top-level feedback, it’s the relationships and collaboration on the ground that truly drive delivery. Alongside our annual survey, which captures strategic insights, we actively engage with partners on the ground – recognising that our success depends on their expertise, support and shared commitment to nature recovery.”
The exchange reflects ongoing tension between policymakers and rural stakeholders over how environmental policy is developed and the extent to which it recognises the economic contribution of managed moorlands, game management and shooting-related enterprises.