A Golden Opportunity

JAYB

Administrator
Site Staff
Now one and all imagine this you have been invited to have tea with the Government Minister or MSP, or maybe both, who are involved in the Wildlife Bill. Imagine further that these people are not fools and will listen to what is said and are very likely to act upon serious, well thought out plans of action that are of benefit to the Wildlife, the Government and not necessarily the existing set up.

Now what questions would you like answered? Remember serious questions only as there may be the tinkle of tea cups in the offing.

John
 
Well there needs to be some serious thought in how best to control the exploding raptor population in particular buzzards.

As a fisherman cormorants are devestating fisheries, 250 + on Chew vallley has got to have a significant impact on the fishery.

They have nigh on wiped out the coarse fishery on the River Vvrnwy.

Another topic is how to get some rational thought and discussion on the control of badgers not only from the TB aspect but to the onging destruction of insects, ground nesting birds and small mammals. The best thing would be for the BBC to show footage at prime time of a badger eating a hedgehog!!!

Finally how to collect serious verifiable data/ information that .22 C/F rifles are perfectly adequate for the control of Roe deer in England

Just a few quick thoughts.

D
 
Well there needs to be some serious thought in how best to control the exploding raptor population in particular buzzards.

As a fisherman cormorants are devestating fisheries, 250 + on Chew vallley has got to have a significant impact on the fishery.

They have nigh on wiped out the coarse fishery on the River Vvrnwy.

Another topic is how to get some rational thought and discussion on the control of badgers not only from the TB aspect but to the onging destruction of insects, ground nesting birds and small mammals. The best thing would be for the BBC to show footage at prime time of a badger eating a hedgehog!!!

Finally how to collect serious verifiable data/ information that .22 C/F rifles are perfectly adequate for the control of Roe deer in England

Just a few quick thoughts.

D

Damn it Cyres, you sort of beat me to it.

I wasn't going to just mention a few species though. The present legislation and the most active lobbiers' thinking tends to favour apex species too much. The policy makers should be looking at how to protect the whole pyramid and nurture/manage all of our ecosystems.

The pyramid gets top-heavy in places and needs management policy to deal with that and yes, it may occasionally mean control by culling but often there are other options.

This wee island and virtually every square inch of it is not wild at all, it's the product of man's interventions, past and present, physical and political. BIG picture thinking please.
 
Why do we spend millions on reintroduction of spicies when we will not allow qualified support for existing spicies? Why can lobby groups not accept without the millions pumped into fieldsports the majority of Britain would be a barren wilderness devoid of most of its wildlife. Control of preditors stabalised the ballance. Now raptors are protected many common birds are approaching extinction.
Jim
 
Just the one frivolous answer John. :oops:

Now what questions would you like answered? Remember serious questions only as there may be the tinkle of tea cups in the offing.

Are you claiming for those biccies on expenses? :-|
 
JB
Ask them why the RSPB and RSPCA can be classed as charities with all the tax benefits of a charity,and hold so much political clout.

Does big Alex know what your up to?
I'll tell him next time I see him..................
best of luck with your meeting
Alan
 
Jayb, One thing I am going to ask my MP at his next surgery, is regard to the new Airgun law.
Question, When will we see a £1000 fine for the under 18 year old, who breaks into your home and steals your air gun?
For far too long, it is the innocent that suffer at the hands of the criminal.
 
Dear Miss Minister

Could you answer the following questions please:

1 Given that the hunting with dogs act has had little to no effect on hunting foxes with hounds other than to make it an illegal activity and, that the hunting with dogs act has done nothing to stop hare coursing by poachers and that more hares are now culled by shooting than where ever killed during legal hare coursing events does the minister think that the hunting with dogs act has been an abject failure for both hares and those involved in managing the countryside for this beloved creature?
2 The government has recently relented on the idea of selling off our forests. Given the barriers the forestry commission seems to be putting in place to deny deer stalkers, both recreational and managerial, the opportunity to obtain leases on forestry administered by the commission does the minister have any plans to allow greater freedom of access to suitably qualified individuals to manage deer populations within those areas administered by said commission?
3 Would the minister agree to the setting up within the forestry commission an independent group to allocate certain forestry blocks which can be accessed on a rota basis to interested recreational stalkers to allow greater access to those areas whilst still maintaining control over access and use of that land? Similar to the day lease scheme which seems to have been shelved by the FC with no public consultation?
4 Does the minister believe that english heritage should allow the proliferation of non native species?
5 Can the minister provide details of an appeal process which may be used by people with concerns about the management principles being adopted by the likes of English nature and the forestry commission which currently have no policing element to their activities?
6 Would you like sugar with your tea and bikkies?
 
Is there any more, remember this is for Scotland and primarily concerned with deerstalking. The availability of FC land for stalking, restrictions placed on leaseholders etc I thought would have been more prominent in your responses considering the difficulty experienced by many in finding ground.

John
 
I would question some of the conditions placed on the leaseholder by the FC. For instance if a stalker has gone to the expense and trouble of doing the level I, passing the shooting test and safety courses, passed the FC skills test has an FAC and insurance ect. in place, why then does that person have to be accompanied at all times by someone with level II. Surely this makes it more difficult to achieve the intended cull figures and manage the lease properly.
 
Badgers all the way, we spend millions of pounds each year killing what were perfectly good cattle for the sake of some poxy rodents. As for cost; if they put them on open licence then those with farm permissions could chose whether to help protect our farmers stock, probably wouldn't cost the Government a penny.
 
We need a clear manmagement structure and policy that understands the difference between preservation and conservation and funds are then directed appropriately. A FULL and DETAILED audit of the animal rights groups from the RSPB to the far right anti's would be useful that clearly indentifies where donations are spent. The second would lift a rock or two
 
Back
Top