Debbie BASC Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 Reinstate general licences as a matter of urgency, BASC tells Defra May 13, 2019 BASC is calling on Defra to reinstate the general licences that were withdrawn by Natural England last month as a matter of “absolute urgency”. In its 46 page submission to Defra’s call for evidence on general licences, BASC lays bare the damage already caused by Natural England’s decision, which came without consultation or proper notice. Over 29,600 people responded to an online survey set up by BASC to gather evidence in four days. BASC’s submission is based on those responses, as well as advice from BASC’s expert staff, a review of scientific evidence and in excess of 10,000 member enquiries. The association is now calling for Defra to launch a formal consultation with the aim of allowing Defra or another competent authority to issue a light touch, legally-sound general licence in 2020. BASC chief executive Ian Bell said: “Every day lost to the ongoing crisis sees more wildlife, crops and livestock damaged by these very common problematic birds. We trust and hope that the review will reverse the gold plating and mission creep that has led to the current chaos and produce simple, workable licences covering all species and purposes previously included. “The evidence we have submitted to Defra makes a clear case for the reinstatement of the revoked general licences and this needs to happen as a matter of urgency to stop this crisis turning into a catastrophe.” In total, BASC’s survey showed that almost 3.4 million days were reported to be spent annually controlling pest birds. It showed that 96 per cent of respondents had stopped some or all of their bird pest control as a result of the revocation, with a minimum estimated financial impact of £1,200 per respondent. The survey also showed that: 86 per cent reported damage / loss of crops 81 per cent reported financial or economic impacts 79 per cent reported damage / loss of wild birds like songbirds or waders (eg through predation of eggs or chicks by corvids.) 59 per cent reported damage / loss of foodstuffs for livestock 52 per cent reported damage / loss of livestock BASC chairman Peter Glenser QC said: “This evidence paints a picture of the chaos and damage that has been wreaked across the English countryside as a result of the decision to withdraw the general licences without notice or consultation. “We hope that our response gives Defra the evidence and confidence to reinstate the general licences as a matter of urgency and launch a thorough, evidence-based consultation. “The severity of the issue of the management of livestock, crops and wildlife in the last couple of weeks as a direct result of the general licences revocation without notice, consultation or transition period is clear and stark.” Click here for a copy of BASC’s submission to Defra: https://basc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2019/05/BASC-General-Licence-Submission-FINAL.pdf Click here for the latest BASC updates on general licences: https://basc.org.uk/gl/ ENDS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 (edited) Thank you Debbie. Edited May 14, 2019 by TIGHTCHOKE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 hello, we can only live in hope that D E F R A will find the common sense and do just that as you have given the true facts, well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clakk Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 Only problem in this is M,Gove esq , enviroloon and friend of tree huggers ,he will soundbite as elections are due for a new P.M but will he actually listen or just promise in hope of staying at the trough .The world has emailed M,P,s ,ministers and gov,dot org,s so they know how angry we are but will they choose the repeal or carry on the work of Pillock Packham and his snowflakes ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostonmick Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 29 thousand responses. That is disgraceful. It leaves around 120 thousand members that could not be bothered and many more who are not members ignoring the situation hoping it just goes away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 Mick, how many of those 29000 responses were from ex and non Members? Mine was! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootingEgg Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 53 minutes ago, bostonmick said: 29 thousand responses. That is disgraceful. It leaves around 120 thousand members that could not be bothered and many more who are not members ignoring the situation hoping it just goes away. The first question was do you shoot live quarry for pest control. Not all 150k members do. So as stated in numerous other posts, you can't throw that accusation out. 7 days notice with just shy of 30k responses, id say is good going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 2 minutes ago, ShootingEgg said: The first question was do you shoot live quarry for pest control. Not all 150k members do. So as stated in numerous other posts, you can't throw that accusation out. 7 days notice with just shy of 30k responses, id say is good going. 👍 And the response that they have sent is an excellent piece of work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 Well said. I have read their submission and it is a fine piece of work. Well done BASC and the other organisations that have done the same Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancer425 Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 In view of the limited time involved i think the uptake was good, and exactly why more did not respond is neither here nor there now. i do not see how voicing our disappointment the figures were not higher can benefit our case now. Fact is people did or did not get involved for reasons known only to them, best to leave it and just wait and see what comes of what as been done so far, and hope we have a better sittuation than before the short consultation began. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyefor Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 51 minutes ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: Mick, how many of those 29000 responses were from ex and non Members? Mine was! ..and mine. But only because it seemed to the best organised response. Shame about the rest of the organisation? That's why I'm an ex member. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostonmick Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 39 minutes ago, ShootingEgg said: The first question was do you shoot live quarry for pest control. Not all 150k members do. So as stated in numerous other posts, you can't throw that accusation out. 7 days notice with just shy of 30k responses, id say is good going. No the question is do you shoot. This is again a thin edge of the wedge. I only shoot clays these days and have done for a good few years. I am a member of basc and cpsa I see this as just another attack on shooting in general. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 (edited) Maybe there is a higher proportion of shooters than some think who very rarely shoot birds. I used to have one morning in May every year for branching to reduce the blackies damaging a golf course - thats it, my sole stab at bird shooting. I can't get to shoot it in daylight. I didn't make any effort on the issue and won't blow it out of proportion for my needs. I really feel for the guys who are seriously affected but I'm not, if anyone don't like it then tough. Edited May 14, 2019 by Dave-G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootingEgg Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 36 minutes ago, Dave-G said: Maybe there is a higher proportion of shooters than some think who very rarely shoot birds. I used to have one morning in May every year for branching to reduce the blackies damaging a golf course - thats it, my sole stab at bird shooting. I can't get to shoot it in daylight. I didn't make any effort on the issue and won't blow it out of proportion for my needs. I really feel for the guys who are seriously affected but I'm not, if anyone don't like it then tough. Then you had no reason to fill in the survey as you would of been bending the figures, so you were right not to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodgy dave Posted May 15, 2019 Report Share Posted May 15, 2019 16 hours ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: Mick, how many of those 29000 responses were from ex and non Members? Mine was! and so was mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.