BASC criticise Welsh general licence changes

BASC criticise Welsh general licence changes

BASC has opposed the Canada goose proposal because their population in Wales is limited in number and distribution.


By Barnaby Dracup

Friday, 06 November 2009

Two of the Welsh Assembly Government’s proposed changes to the General Licences have been rebuffed by BASC.

BASC has criticised the Welsh Assembly Government’s controversial plan to add Canada geese to the pest bird list and change the law on Larsen trapping as part of its consultation on the General Licences, which closes on 24 November.

BASC has opposed the Canada goose proposal because the British Trust for Ornithology’s Bird Atlas maps and Wetland Bird Surveys show that their population in Wales is limited in number and distribution compared with England.

“There have been relatively few licence applications to address problems in Wales and they are a valued quarry species of goose on Welsh estuaries,” said a BASC spokesman.

BASC also added it is unaware of any enforcement issues pertaining to cage traps that would make it necessary for the police to administer an identification tagging system.

“This move would introduce a huge and unnecessary administrative burden on the thousands of Welsh cage trap operators and the two wildlife crime officers for Wales that would have to process such a system,” he added.

BASC’s policy development manager, Conor O’Gorman, urged Shooting UK readers to respond to the consultation: “A briefing is available on BASC’s website to help Welsh shooters get their views across on this consultation. It is worth noting no changes can be finalised until at least 1 July 2010, to allow sufficient time for communication of such changes. This is a precedent BASC lobbied for and welcomes.”

Let us know what you think about this!



CompPrevious
Hunts "ready to repeal"

Hunts "ready to repeal"

At the start of what could be the final season bef...

CompNext
BASC rejects Canada Geese and Larsen trap proposals

BASC rejects Canada Geese and Larsen trap proposals

BASC has criticised the Welsh Assembly Government&...


Gundogs Training

Will my gundog mature after training?

Because of my work commitments I have decided to send my 12-month-old ... Read more


More in Gundogs Training...


Gundogs Events

United Retriever Club final working gun dog tests

The Bucks Area of the URC held their final working gun dog tests for t... Read more


More in Gundogs Events...


Gundogs Health

Shouldn't working spaniels have docked tails?

Docked tails: I want to ask my new picking-up team about their dogs�... Read more


More in Gundogs Health...


Comments

Shooting Gazette February 2012

Shooting Gazette February 2012

A SPORTING TEAM: Enjoy all of the best shooting commentary with driven shooting's finest journal.

The Field February 2012 issue

The Field February 2012 issue

Scottish geese, Icelandic ptarmigan, African tigerfish

Shooting Times & Country Magazine

Shooting Times & Country Magazine

Don't miss this week's issue (on sale Wednesday 1st February). FREE PRIZE DRAW - it is week 3 of our great "Gun a Week" competition, see P53 for further details and how to enter! Plus, who is top dog? Paul Rawlings reports on the 2012 Cocker Spaniel Championship. Get down to your newsagents and buy your copy today!


Latest articles

Shooting Estate fights heather burning ban

Shooting Estate fights heather burning ban

High Court orders a full judicial review of Natural England’s pr... Read more


Police deny licensing link to fatal stand-off

Police deny licensing link to fatal stand-off

Lincolnshire Police dismisses claims that disabled man who later shot ... Read more


More in Latest articles...