YP Letters: Grouse shooting on moor has failed on all counts

OVER half of breeding birds 
have become locally extinct 
or declined on Ilkley Moor, despite these species being identified as being of 
importance to the moor’s ecosystem by Bradford Council (The Yorkshire Post, August 
11).

The sensitive upland habitat is unable to support a variety of specialist wildlife as a consequence of burning over rare blanket bog. Local businesses, homes and roads become submerged under water during inclement weather because the damaged moor can no longer function as a natural flood barrier.

Let’s also not forget the visitors to the moor, who bring £1.5m into the local economy annually.

The local authority acknowledges that ending grouse shooting would provide “positive” benefits for tourism, the moor’s and its own reputation.

Grouse shooting on Ilkley Moor has failed on all counts: economic, social and environmental. Thankfully, 
every other moorland-owning local authority has ended 
grouse shooting on their 
heather-clad upland estates and set a number of successful precedents for Bradford Council to follow.