March 13, 2024
One of my jobs at BASC is to sort the wheat from the chaff when sifting through the myriad consultations crossing my desk every day. The Welsh government and its agencies are particularly prolific in producing draft strategies and policies, many of which seem a bit off the mark. A case in point is the…
March 13, 2024
Defra’s latest licensing update failed to provide critical final details on pheasant and red-legged partridge releases. It had been expected that Defra Secretary of State Steve Barclay would share the details on the general licensing by the end of February but, at the time of writing, he had indicated that mid-March is the new deadline. …
March 13, 2024
Captain Peter Voûte CBE, director of the British Field Sports Society (BFSS) and former executive director of the Countryside Alliance, has died aged 85. Peter Voûte played a pivotal role in the formation of the Countryside Alliance and organised the Hyde Park Rally of 1997, as well as the Countryside March in 1998. Preparations for…
March 13, 2024
Protesters gathered in Cardiff to express their concerns to the Welsh government, following weeks tractor demonstrations across Wales (News, 21 February). Several speakers addressed the crowd at the Senedd, including the party leaders from the Welsh Conservatives and Plaid Cymru. No Labour politicians spoke. The protest focused on policies relating to Nitrate Vulnerable Zones, a…
March 13, 2024
The hunting season in Ireland has been extended by three months for mature male deer and by one month for female and antlerless males. The Irish government’s extension is with immediate effect. Overgrazing by deer puts serious pressure on native woodlands and peatland habitats in the Republic of Ireland. Now hunting of female and antlerless…
March 13, 2024
John Rigby & Co has unveiled a collection of a dozen Best rifles, designed specifically to support the Habitat for Rhino conservation project. The project was founded 10 years ago by Pauline and Robin Hurt and has reintroduced a thriving population of white rhinos to the Gamsberg region in Namibia. Through anti-poaching initiatives, monitoring and…
March 13, 2024
Richard Drax has dismissed calls by conservation groups to end the badger cull, which aims to curb the spread of bovine tuberculosis (bTB). Speaking at a debate on farming in the House of Commons, the Conservative MP for South Dorset instead suggested more animals — such as deer and foxes — should be culled because,…
March 08, 2024
In March last year, the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill was published, seeking to introduce licensing for land used for grouse shooting, licensing for muirburn and licensing and training requirements for various types of wildlife traps (News, p8). As the Bill has progressed through the various stages of parliamentary scrutiny, BASC and other rural…
March 06, 2024
The Government has launched a public consultation on removing sound moderators from firearms licensing. Nick Hunt, head of firearms and weapons policy at the Home Office, wrote to stakeholder organisations regarding the consultation on 21 February. Sound moderators are currently defined in the Firearms Act 1968 as a firearm, which means that a certificate from…
March 06, 2024
Wildlife and Countryside Link has said the British countryside is a “racist, colonial white space”. In a report titled Race and the Environmental Emergency: Call for Written Evidence, it stated: “Our policy recommendations ensure that all people have the right to a healthy natural environment. Racist colonial legacies continue to frame nature in the UK…
Sponsored by Skinner’s, this week’s dog of the week is Bracken. At 18 months old, Bracken — her owner’s first working cocker spaniel — has just completed her first season beating. She has loved every minute and is looking forward to being a peg dog next season. For your dog to be included, email [email protected] a picture and tell us all about them. Featured dogs receive a 15kg bag of food, via Skinner’s.