I happen to take a different view on this. Anyone who thinks that the issue of lead will go away if we don't talk about it might as well stick their fingers in their ears and shout "la la la". If the shooting organisations and their members do not get involved do you really think the research won't happen???
According to its website the RSPB has over a million members and nearly £80m available for "charitable purposes". BASC has 130,000 members, the CA has 105,000, the NGO 14,300 and BDS has 6,000. Sadly numbers count, especially to politicians. Who do you think the government and other legislators are going to listen to? Do you think if we stand on periphery as individuals with the facts on our side they'll listen to us?? Get real. We've seen before that the politicians won't let the facts get in the way of appealing to a large number of voters.
To get our voice heard, like it or not, it has to be done through the shooting organisations. At least the BASC is getting involved - to paraphrase the classic words of Lyndon B Johnson, I'd rather have BASC inside the tent p*ssing out than outside the tent p*ssing in.
If you're a BASC member make your voice heard by following Bandit Country's lead and emailing the council, telling them how strongly you feel on the issue. Even better, use your election vote and get Griff onto the council. If you're an NGO member, ask them why they're
not involved in this research.
But if your plan is to just sit on the sidelines, moan and bitch about things but not actually get off your a*ses and
do anything, don't look to me for sympathy when the legislation comes in.
Rant over, tin hat on and diving into the foxhole
willie_gunn