Close season for hare shooting

That this House notes with concern the ongoing absence of a statutory close season for the shooting of hares in England and Wales, despite their status as a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan; recognises that this lack of protection allows hares to be shot during their breeding season, leading to the orphaning of dependent leverets, compromising the welfare of lactating does and having a detrimental impact on local populations; further notes that brown hare numbers have declined significantly over the past century due to changes in agricultural practices, habitat loss, and persecution such as coursing made illegal under the Hunting Act 2004; acknowledges that Scotland and Northern Ireland have already implemented close seasons for hares; and therefore calls on the Government to introduce a statutory close season for the shooting of hares in England and Wales, in line with modern wildlife management principles and animal welfare standards, to ensure the recovery and long-term survival of this iconic species.