Help needed! Do you shoot/trap pest birds in Wales?

[Conor O'Gorman]

This week Natural Resources Wales (NRW) launched a review of how it regulates the shooting and trapping of wild birds in Wales. This covers a wide range of areas such as NRW’s approach to authorising wild bird control both on general and specific licences - including species, methods of control and location.

The call for evidence runs until 27 January 2021.

NRW have highlighted that they are looking for feedback with scientific or anecdotal evidence and they are not looking for views or opinions at this stage. Also they are not currently proposing any changes to the way in which they license or provide advice on the shooting and trapping of birds or the destruction of eggs and nests.

Following the review, any proposals to change the way in which they carry out these functions will be subject to public consultation in 2021, which will give everyone the opportunity to give them their opinions.

NRW has outlined the main elements of its review as follows:

• Ensuring continuity of service for the delivery of wild bird control licensing while the review is being carried out
• Review of NRW’s approach to wild bird control licensing (general and specific licences), including in relation to the outcome of the current legal challenge to some of its general licences
• Review of NRW's approach to regulating the shooting or capture of wild birds on SSSIs
• Review of the impact on Welsh fisheries by fish-eating birds to inform NRW’s approach to wild bird control licensing
• Review of NRW’s approach to the regulation of the use of cage traps for the control of wild birds

There are weblinks below and if you need advice on submitting your evidence do let me know by emailing conor.ogorman@basc.org.uk

BASC press release

Answer NRW’s call for evidence on wild bird licensing says BASC - The British Association for Shooting and Conservation

BASC will be providing a wide range of information to this review on behalf of members but it is vital that anyone who is able to provide evidence of their own does so.

basc.org.uk

BASC FAQ and advice on submitting evidence

Wales - BASC

General licences – Wales 2023 Welsh general licences GL001 – Prevention of serious damage to crops and livestockValid from 1 January 2023 This general licence is for the purpose of preventing serious damage or spread of disease to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables or fruit...

basc.org.uk

Direct link to the call for evidence

Activity Unavailable - Natural Resources Wales Citizen Space - Citizen Space

Find and participate in consultations run by Natural Resources Wales

ymgynghori.cyfoethnaturiol.cymru

 

[kes]

In my humble view they have reached the closest to an anti position that they can. You did not mention Red listed birds in culling ?

I shall respond directly but look to your own laurels since any effort expended by BASC got us to this stage anyway. I have written to my MP several times about the general licences and will do so again.

A "news headline" hot from BASC's self -promoting press office is not necessary for me and very many others I suggest - we are really in touch with what is going on in Wales. Leaving anything to BASC alone these days is a guarantee of misery for the shooting community.

Since it is the season of goodwill - a merry Christmas - let battle recommence on Jan 2nd.

 

[Mike L]

Who doesn't love a passive aggressive post.

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

In my humble view they have reached the closest to an anti position that they can. You did not mention Red listed birds in culling ?

I shall respond directly but look to your own laurels since any effort expended by BASC got us to this stage anyway. I have written to my MP several times about the general licences and will do so again.

A "news headline" hot from BASC's self -promoting press office is not necessary for me and very many others I suggest - we are really in touch with what is going on in Wales. Leaving anything to BASC alone these days is a guarantee of misery for the shooting community.

Since it is the season of goodwill - a merry Christmas - let battle recommence on Jan 2nd.

Many members of this forum appreciate the policy updates from BASC and the opportunities to get involved and BASC staff appreciate the feedback received in follow-up. This has been working well since this forum began and that engagement has increased with the wider social media channels now available to us all.

For some historical context on BASC engagement with shooters on policy and campaigns please listen to the latest (Ep.5) BASC podcast

Podcast

Each episode includes the latest news and views relating to shooting with expert analysis of shooting-related affairs and interviews.

basc.org.uk

You have repeatedly stated on this forum that you won't reply to my or BASC posts/comments and yet you continue to do so. You have also stated that you are ignoring my posts. Please explain why don't keep your word?

I ask because you will undoubtedly reply and your interaction will be helpful to ensure that this post will continue to be bumped and therefore continue to help raise awareness with even more forum members on this campaign.

A direct link to the survey is here:

Activity Unavailable - Natural Resources Wales Citizen Space - Citizen Space

Find and participate in consultations run by Natural Resources Wales

ymgynghori.cyfoethnaturiol.cymru

If anyone needs advice on submitting evidence do let me know by emailing conor.ogorman@basc.org.uk

 

[kes]

Like - " no evidence - no change " you mean - about keeping one's word?
Pot - Kettle.
Nevertheless, Merry Christmas.

 

[Tim.243]

 

[BryanDC]

Like or loath the BASC. Anyone with any interest in this review should submit their evidence. Pleanty of people complaing that BASC are not doing anything, so get online and do something yourself. It is your sport or livelihood.

 

[kes]

Like or loath the BASC. Anyone with any interest in this review should submit their evidence. Pleanty of people complaing that BASC are not doing anything, so get online and do something yourself. It is your sport or livelihood.

I agree and the more we all do this and become incensed about the abuse of powers we pay for, then so our collective voice will start to reverberate with voting conscious MP's and government.
Whilst we need a strong credible organisation - I currently don't see one - so we all have to take up the slack. I've written twice on the General Licence in Wales and to my MP. I will be submitting another response. If all the members of all the organisation submitted responses to consultation it would, in my view, be better for our sport than being quiescent members.
Apathy will be the end of shooting and we will have been the cause.

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

BASC made submissions last week in support of Natural Resources Wales as it defends its General Licences in a judicial review brought by Wild Justice. Judgement in the case is expected in January.

Unlike in England – where the Countryside Alliance, The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation and The Game Farmers Association came onboard – BASC stands alone in going down the legal channels to support government in the Welsh legal challenge.

We have drawn on our Fighting Fund to do this and hope the outcome is a licensing system that is satisfactory and workable for the end user.

Find out more by clicking the weblink below.

Welsh General Licences and the long-term future of shooting - BASC

As shooting in Wales returns to some normality after the firebreak lockdown, we are still facing challenges that could affect us in the long-term. Read how BASC is tackling these threats.

basc.org.uk

 

[Kalahari]

Done it thanks.

David.