BASC will ensure views on Scotland general licences are expressed “loud and clear”

[DebbieBASC]

BASC will ensure views on Scotland general licences are expressed “loud and clear”

May 21, 2019

BASC will ensure the views of the shooting community are fully represented in a consultation into the future of general licences in Scotland announced today.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) will launch a 12-week online consultation in the summer but has said this year’s general licences are unaffected.

Following the chaos caused in England by the decision to remove general licences without consultation or notice, SNH had previously reassured the rural community that any review of its systems would take into account the views of those affected.

Dr Colin Shedden, BASC’s Scotland director, said: “SNH has said it will listen to those affected most by general licences and BASC will ensure those views are expressed loud and clear.”

BASC vice chairman Eoghan Cameron said: “The shooting, rural and farming community in Scotland is understandably fearful of the situation around general licences having seen the chaos that has unfolded in England in the last few weeks.

“SNH has recognised that depth of feeling and has moved to reassure people that it will listen to the views of the public and stakeholders. BASC will remain in close contact with SNH over all aspects of species licensing.”

In its further announcement today, Robbie Kernahan, SNH’s head of national operations, said: “We want to ensure that general licences in Scotland are clear, proportionate and fit-for-purpose.

“In light of the complicated situation in England with general licences right now, we have decided to bring forward our consultation which had been scheduled for 2020.

“Our general licences cover relatively common situations – such as preventing agricultural damage and protecting public health and safety – when there’s unlikely to be any conservation impact on a species.

“They avoid the need for people to apply for individual licences for these specific situations. As with any licence, we need to ensure that general licences strike the appropriate balance between species conservation and a range of other legitimate interests.

“We would like to reassure those who are currently operating under general licences in Scotland that these remain in place, allowing those who comply with the conditions to continue to use them.

“The consultation will ask stakeholders for their views about how general licences work in practice, what they should cover, and how they are worded.”

 

[enfieldspares]

Yep. Just like the excellent job that BASC did, in Scotland, with the licensing of air guns and the need for a Doctor's certification? Or that ALL our views were "fully represented" to N.E. before the General Licence for pigeons and etc. was revoked without an adequate and workable back up being in place. Sorry Debbie from BASC....some of us have longer memories than last week's latest "BASC welcomes...." propaganda piece.

 

[Woodsmoke]

Yep. Just like the excellent job that BASC did, in Scotland, with the licensing of air guns and the need for a Doctor's certification?

Yep. Really looked out for us there, didn't they? I have absolutely no faith in anything that comes from the BASC office

 

[Highlandsjohn]

BASC Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) will ensure views on Scotland general licences are expressed “loud and clear”

There you go fixed it for you...

 

[jimbo1984]

Why all of a sudden does it matter about representing our views ?? Just ignore us and take our money , there’s plenty stupid enough to keep paying in ...

 

[kes]

Most punters dont care - BASC says is now irrelevant sadly. I had hopes for the new CE but controlling his staff doesnt seem to be his forte. I'm tired of complaining about BASC will someone else please save me from it !

 

[VSS]

It'll be our (Wales') turn next. Heard on the grapevine that NRW are expected to follow the example set be NE within the next three weeks.

 

[jimbo1984]

It'll be our (Wales') turn next. Heard on the grapevine that NRW are expected to follow the example set be NE within the next three weeks.

Nah basc will save you all tim nothing to worry about bud

 

[Orion]

It'll be our (Wales') turn next. Heard on the grapevine that NRW are expected to follow the example set be NE within the next three weeks.

What’s that - roll over, play dead and pass responsibility over to DEFRA?

 

[VSS]

What’s that - roll over, play dead and pass responsibility over to DEFRA?

That's about the size of it, although I'm not sure who the responsibility would defer to - NRW is set up slightly differently to NE.

 

[B&W FOX]

BASC were great in Wales at saving the pheasant shooting

 

[Orion]

BASC were great in Wales at saving the pheasant shooting

I don’t think it was the finest hour of any of the organisations - and especially their legal advisers.

 

[User00003]

I have to say, BASC may want to take a strategic approach to announce that whilst they have the interest of the shooting community at heart, they have no power or actual influence in representing the community apart from helping lobby on their behalf.

Clearly there’s zero power or influencing on government bodies so why pretend like it or set members expectations, it will only lead to failure and member disappointment;

Truth is, NE, SNH, etc will do exactly as they please - they know that if they start giving in to shooting organisational pressures, they will have to continue respecting their views,,,but blatantly ignoring shooting organisations, they can basically set the rules as they please.

It does make for a rather pathetic outlook on how people have a say in things,,,seemingly all new cars will have speed limiters, we will be microchipped, phones listened in on, ...did anyone say Orwell 1984 or a bit of Huxley...

 

[User00001]

BASC were great in Wales at saving the pheasant shooting

How many pheasant shoots were actually effected by the NRW decision just out of interest?

 

[VSS]

How many pheasant shoots were actually effected by the NRW decision just out of interest?

I think it was 3, but it might only have been 2.
Whatever, NRW was well within it's rights there. All they did was to not renew shooting leases on land where they own the sporting rights. Any landowner could do the same, at any time. However, it is true to say that their decision was based on political pressure. One politician in particular.

 

[jimbo1984]

I have to say, BASC may want to take a strategic approach to announce that whilst they have the interest of the shooting community at heart, they have no power or actual influence in representing the community apart from helping lobby on their behalf.

Clearly there’s zero power or influencing on government bodies so why pretend like it or set members expectations, it will only lead to failure and member disappointment;

Truth is, NE, SNH, etc will do exactly as they please - they know that if they start giving in to shooting organisational pressures, they will have to continue respecting their views,,,but blatantly ignoring shooting organisations, they can basically set the rules as they please.

It does make for a rather pathetic outlook on how people have a say in things,,,seemingly all new cars will have speed limiters, we will be microchipped, phones listened in on, ...did anyone say Orwell 1984 or a bit of Huxley...

But then that statement would be false in them saying they have the shooting communities best interests at heart wouldn’t it ?

 

[User00003]

But then that statement would be false in them saying they have the shooting communities best interests at heart wouldn’t it ?

Lol, that’s true..

 

[tozzybum]

They do seem as effective as a floundering fish on a river bank ,they say this n that but the goverment organisations just stick two fingers up and carry on regardless .Yes their legal team have helped individuals But no they havent stopped squat
.Airgun licensing, is coming, no sign of the ten year licence to compensate for the increase in Certificate fees and the medical fee fiasco is a joke .How much for a doctor to sign a piece of paper if he,s your g,p and knows you it,s an obscene amount .Youve been flagged as a FAC holder on your records so any issues notify police so why an extra signature for your renewal ?Wales and Scotland take note you,l be next imho atb

 

[gerarddwatts]

Some of you folk are unbelievably naive.

If the government changes the rules what on earth do you expect of a minority pressure group?

What do you think they can do, but are not doing? If the government wants to ignore them ..they will.

They can, and do, make representations, but thats all they can do.

Some of you expect too much.

If the law is changed, as with airguns up here, there is absolutely nothing that BASC or anybody else, can do about it.

Same with the medical issues up here....the Police make the rules, there is little BASC , or anybody else, can do about it apart from making representation. There is nothing to stop an individual taking them to court, but they'll lose.

Lots on here seem to want to blame BASC or other groups for everything but its not them making the rules.

Too easy to blame the organizations, but in reality, there is little they can be expected to do......they are just too small and insignificant.

Facts of life folks.

 

[Orion]

Some of you folk are unbelievably naive.

If the government changes the rules what on earth do you expect of a minority pressure group?

What do you think they can do, but are not doing? If the government wants to ignore them ..they will.

They can, and do, make representations, but thats all they can do.

Some of you expect too much.

If the law is changed, as with airguns up here, there is absolutely nothing that BASC or anybody else, can do about it.

Same with the medical issues up here....the Police make the rules, there is little BASC , or anybody else, can do about it apart from making representation. There is nothing to stop an individual taking them to court, but they'll lose.

Lots on here seem to want to blame BASC or other groups for everything but its not them making the rules.

Too easy to blame the organizations, but in reality, there is little they can be expected to do......they are just too small and insignificant.

Facts of life folks.

Hold up for a minute, let’s put this into perspective:

Wild Justice (3 people) make a challenge to the GLs at a minimal crowd funded cost and achieve total melt down of the system.

Organisations with x+++ £million in the kitty roll over and do sweet F A about the medical evidence fiasco despite being contrary to the HOG (in England and Wales)?

You’re having a laugh.