Complaints regarding the RSPB’s use of funding, transparency, and their use of scientific evidence have been rejected by the Charity Commission, which regulates not-for-profit organisations. The complaints were submitted by two separate organisations, the Countryside Alliance and the ‘You Forgot the Birds’ campaign, fronted by the former cricketer Sir Ian Botham. Claims included that the charity was misleading its supporters by hiding the amount of money spent on fundraising and advertising, as well as misusing evidence. The RSPB stated on its website that “the RSPB was not subject to a formal investigation, but the … Commission are clear that the RSPB has not breached charitable regulations or guidelines, or our own charitable objectives, on any of the issues raised.”
The complaints were levelled in an attempt to discredit the RSPB, because of its position on Grouse shooting, an issue which has proved controversial since the call for the unlicensed industry to be regulated last year.
This altercation was the latest in an ongoing battle between the conservation charity and proponents of Driven Grouse Shooting, of which both of the complainants have interests in. Last year the RSPB called for the currently unregulated Grouse shoots to be licensed, in response to the illegal killing of birds of prey on grouse moorlands. Over the past 15 years, 20 gamekeepers have been prosecuted for the illegal killing of birds of prey, although it is likely that the number involved in this activity is much higher. Hen Harrier breeding rates remain extremely low despite protection, and so far there seems to be no ecological reason as to why.
Grouse moorlands are actively managed to increase the stock of gamebirds, through activities such as predator control and heather burning. Proponents of the activity claim that this provides habitats for certain bird species, and that managed heathland has a higher number of species present than unmanaged heathland. However, poor management can lead to habitat degradation as well as the contamination of water catchments and the degradation of peat bogs important for carbon storage, and many conservationists believe that the industry merely pays lip-service to wildlife.
All birds of prey are protected by law in the UK, where it is illegal to kill or harm birds, or interfere with nests or eggs. Despite this, there has been a steady stream in prosecutions of gamekeepers who are convicted for killing birds such as Goshawks or Hen Harriers, who take grouse chicks and therefore deplete the stock of birds available for shooting.