NGO warns rural workers are being “pushed off the land” as policy pressures intensify

More News

A major new briefing from the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO) has been sent to Government Ministers and 195 rural MPs as part of our ongoing engagement with policymakers. It warns that current policy proposals are placing unprecedented pressure on gamekeepers and the wider rural workforce.

The document, Left Behind: How Policy is Pushing Rural Workers Off the Land draws on data and recent policy developments, to outline what the NGO describes as a “rapidly deteriorating” outlook for those working in game and wildlife management.

At the centre of the briefing are findings from a new NGO survey of gamekeepers, deer managers and stalkers across England and Wales:

• 77% are very or extremely concerned about their future
• 69% say the potential end of shooting would be “life changing”
• 95.8% believe the Government does not support rural communities

The NGO says these figures reflect a profession facing “multi‑front pressure” as policy uncertainty intensifies.

The briefing highlights several developments contributing to the sector’s concerns:

• In England, Defra’s recent Land Use Framework signals possible new licensing requirements for gamebird release.
• In Wales, a new call for evidence could lead to further restrictions on gamebird release.
• Ongoing uncertainty around the GL45 licensing system near protected sites continues to undermine confidence.

The NGO warns that taken together, these shifts risk destabilising not only individual livelihoods but the long‑term viability of rural communities.

Beyond regulation, the report emphasises the lived reality behind the statistics. Many gamekeepers occupy tied accommodation, meaning job loss could also mean losing their home. More than 70% say remaining in their local area is very important, underscoring the deep social and cultural roots at stake.

The NGO also used the briefing to underline the sector’s contribution to conservation and rural life. Gamekeepers manage millions of acres, support biodiversity, and provide what the NGO describes as “uncosted rural public service” from emergency assistance to year‑round landscape management.

Tim Weston, Director of Policy, Politics and the Environment at the NGO, is urging MPs to meet gamekeepers in their constituencies and ensure rural voices are fully represented in upcoming consultations. He is also asking members to contact their local MP and send them this briefing, adding  personal stories, experiences and concerns.

The NGO remains ready to work constructively with ministers, but warns that without genuine engagement, policy decisions risk undermining jobs, communities, and the environmental stewardship that underpins much of the British countryside.

Ends

Notes to Editors:

The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation: The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO) represents the gamekeepers of England and Wales. The NGO defends and promotes gamekeeping and gamekeepers and works to ensure high standards throughout the profession. The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation was founded in 1997 by a group of gamekeepers who felt that keepering was threatened by public misunderstanding and poor representation. Today, there are 13,000 members of the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation.  www.nationalgamekeepers.org.uk