Changes to the BBC complaints procedure could lead to continued bias against fieldsports from its shows and presenters, say shooting groups. In the past year, the BBC has come under fire from the rural community several times. An October episode of Inside Out London presented a biased depiction of gamebird rearing that did not show best practice, presented…
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Anti-shooting proposals in “Tory” group manifesto
The Countryside Alliance (CA) has called on the Conservative Party to distance itself from an animal welfare group that it says is “masquerading” as part of the party. The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, established last year, seeks “an inquiry into commercial driven shoots” and urges the Government to “commit to…
League Against Cruel Sports claims shooting industry to blame for bird flu outbreak
Eduardo Goncalves, LACS chief executive, said the outbreaks were “inevitable” because “the number of birds used by the shooting industry each year is a disaster waiting to happen. More pheasants and partridges are bred to be shot each year than the combined number of turkeys and duck killed for the table, but…
Shooting sports make huge contribution to rural economy
Shooting and countryside organisations have highlighted the important role that the shooting and farming industries play in supporting rural tourism. A number of groups gave evidence to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) committee inquiry into tourism’s role in supporting rural growth in England last month. Vital source of income for rural business The committee is also examining issues…
RSPB officer attacks GWCT
Rural organisations are concerned that the RSPB considers itself to be “at war” with moorland managers, following a highly critical public presentation by one of its senior officers. Speaking to the North of England Raptor Forum in November, RSPB senior upland policy officer Dr Pat Thompson said that certain groups,…
Bird flu discovered in pheasant flock in Lancashire
A number of the flock have died and the remaining live birds at the infected premises are being humanely culled. A full investigation is under way to determine the source of the infection. Public Health England advises that the risk to public health from the avian flu virus is very…
The Handicap Challenge – a competition for all at the Royal Berkshire Shooting School
What is the Handicap Challenge? It is an open, handicapped, 100 target, English Sporting championship held over 11 weeks, with the course built to a “par” score of 94 ex-100. The course, set by Royal Berkshire Shooting School (RBSS) instructors Robert Cross and Steven Turner, will include the renowned high tower as well as theexciting…
No more hiding for activists as police gain unmasking powers
The House of Lords passed an amendment to the Policing and Crime Bill last month that will make it easier for the police to unmask violent protesters. The amendment was made in response to concerns that existing powers do not permit police officers to unmask protesters, often including hunt saboteurs and other animal rights activists, without prior written authorisation. Animal…
Latest bird flu warnings from National Gamekeepers’ Organisation
A spokesman for the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO) advises: “This advice is hugely important and is essential reading for everyone in the gamebird world… H5N8 bird flu is now widespread in the UK and threatens gamebird management as well as other bird-related industries. We urge all members and others to…
Queen’s weekly visits to walk gamekeeper’s dogs
We have always known that the Queen is a true countrywoman. One of her retired gamekeepers, Mr Fenwick, died a week ago at the age of 95 and it is said that the Queen is considering giving his dogs a home with her. She began walking his corgi and Bichon…
White pheasants help Harkstead Estate shoot raise £5,000 for East Anglian Air Ambulance
A gamekeeper suggested that white pheasants were used on each shoot. Each time a white peasant fell to the gun the other shoot guests were encouraged to donate £10 each, which raised £80 per bird. No guest ever declined to contribute. In total the Harkstead shoot has raised more than…
Countess faces lengthy wait for gun licence and brands £40 GP fee a “disgrace”
Many shooters have long been aware that the time it takes to receive a new shotgun certificate depends on where they live. Now Establishment figures, like MP Ian Liddell Grainger and Lady Bathurst, High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, are being affected too and voicing their complaints in the media. GPs struggling…
MP forgets to renew firearms licence and is ‘appalled’ at new issue time
The MP has accused Avon and Somerset police of ‘utter incompetence’ after learning it will take a minimum of 16 weeks for a new issue although he was sent a courtesy reminder by the force that the certificate for his rifles and shotguns had expired. Mr Liddell-Grainer commented: “Forgetting to…
Bird flu confirmed in Lincolnshire
As a result of the outbreak, a 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone have been set up around the poultry farm where the bird flu infection (the strain found is H5N8) has been identified. Turkeys on the poultry farm will be culled. A spokesman for the National Gamekeepers’…
“Little impact” from EU gun restrictions thanks to MEPs
Conservative MEP Vicky Ford says she is making “good progress” in her discussions to agree revisions to the EU Firearms Directive. Following the third round of discussions between the European Parliament, Commission and Council, Mrs Ford said the three sides were moving together on a range of issues. “At the moment, the Parliament is demanding its key positions are met. We…
A selection of books for shooting families this Christmas
BARKING MAD Two Centuries of Great Dog Stories By Tom Quinn In the shooting world we pride ourselves on the way we enable gundogs to utilise all their natural instincts to help us find, flush, shoot and collect our game. You will never see a happier animal than these working dogs, which have been…
Shooting businesses denied services by HSBC
Having heard rumours that HSBC were declining services to shooting businesses, the Countryside Alliance researched the issue and discovered that at least one customer had been informed that shooting was considered a “prohibited sport” and as such services had been denied. The business in question had written to HSBC but…
Charity clay shoot raises £63,000 for St. Richard’s Hospice and Child Bereavement UK
The clay shoot was attended by some 120 shooters plus 30 guests all of whom were provided with lunch sponsored by Luke Johnson of Pizza Express fame and Patisserie Valerie through Penyard House of Ross-on-Wye. Shooting was arranged by Alan Bewlay of the Throckmorton Gun Club and his team. An…
Countryside Alliance blasts BBC over “smear”
The Countryside Alliance has lodged a formal complaint about the BBC and accused the broadcaster of failing to adhere to its own guidelines following an episode of Inside Out London last month that explored pheasant and partridge rearing. Both the CA and BASC previously accused the BBC of “aligning itself with anti-shooting extremists” after using League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) footage in…
European avian influenza outbreak prompts precautionary bird measures in UK
Poultry keepers must now house their flocks indoors where practicable, or keep them separate from wild birds. In the case of captive gamebirds – as well as geese and other captive birds where housing is recognised by the authorities as being less practicable – steps must be taken to keep…