Statement from Board of Trustees of Friends of the Dales, Eyes on the Skies campaign
Friends of the Dales are aware of concerns raised by The Moorland Association sent to the Charity Commission on Monday 19 October 2026.
The trustees take these matters extremely seriously. Earlier this year, after receiving correspondence from The Moorland Association and given the threat to our charity’s reputation, we proactively self-referred to the Charity Commission raising a serious incident report.
The public response to our Eyes on the Skies campaign is significant and we are heartened by the reaction of thousands of people to the fact that our majestic birds of prey are still being illegally killed. Nearly 8,000 people have shown their concern by signing the petition seeking necessary reforms from the government.
Our Eyes on the Skies campaign is calling out illegal actions and for measures that would effectively dissuade criminal activity. We do not seek to stigmatise any group of people. Our concern is with illegal raptor persecution and seeking a means to end it.
Earlier in the year Friends of the Dales responded to The Moorland Association. This was accordingly, in line with our charitable objectives and respecting the accountability to our own members who back our campaigning work, all done in accordance with Charity Commission rules. As a small charity, we dedicate our limited resources and focus to ending illegal raptor persecution, and other issues of environmental and community importance in the Yorkshire Dales.
We will fully cooperate with the Charity Commission should they follow up with us, and we will ensure all questions are answered transparently and thoroughly, should that be required.
Our primary focus remains on delivering our charitable work safely and responsibly – protecting and campaigning for the wildlife, people and landscape of the Yorkshire Dales.