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Update from BASC / DEFRA


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AFTER consulting Defra, BASC has updated its advice for conducting essential pest control during the Coronavirus restrictions imposed by government:

In line with the Prime Minister’s statement, when making a decision on whether or not to conduct essential wildlife management you should consider:

  • Is the landowner, or person responsible for giving permission, happy for you to be on the land in the current crisis?

  • Can you maintain effective social distancing? 

  • Is the management involved absolutely essential?

  • Is there a risk that your activities could result in the emergency services being called out? For example, someone reporting shots being fired.

  • Should you inform the local police in advance that you are going out? If you do, secure the reference number for the call.

Everyone’s circumstances are different so individual decisions will have to be made, although the onus will be on remaining off the land. So-called ‘recreational shooting’ or taking clients shooting are ruled out at present.

Be aware that you should be able to stand up your decision if you are challenged by the enforcement authorities or you risk a fine and may put your certificate at risk.

BASC has published a number of FAQs around Coronavirus and shooting. These are on the dedicated Coronavirus page on our website.

 

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19 minutes ago, bruno22rf said:

Someone best have a word with TVP then - last time one of our vermin control group asked for a URN (essential under our terms) they clearly stated that Pest Control was not considered essential and refused to give the code.

yep i had email for TVP  this morning clearly stated that

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So more guidance then? Which the authorities will make a decision right or wrong on, after the event.........if you go pest controlling, and are stopped by the police and asked why your are there, or going there?......it’s down to you to convince them it’s kosher!
For Christ sake why do they (the government) not stipulate conditions, and make them mandatory (be it temporary) rather than wait for someone to do something.......then be required to explain their justification and effectively..... prove their innocence.

If it’s a legal requirement, most will comply....if it’s merely ‘guidance’ people will interpret it to suit themselves!

Edited by panoma1
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2 hours ago, bruno22rf said:

Someone best have a word with TVP then - last time one of our vermin control group asked for a URN (essential under our terms) they clearly stated that Pest Control was not considered essential and refused to give the code.

Is that a ‘Unique reference number’? If so can I ask why you need one? 

1 minute ago, panoma1 said:

 

If it’s a legal requirement, most will comply....if it’s merely ‘guidance’ people will interpret it to suit themselves!

Exactly! In circumstances such as these it should be beyond ‘interpretation’. It would seem common sense and logic don’t apply anymore. 

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Sorry to have to say this but that still seems clear as mud and just as generalised as before - possibly intentionally as a butt covering exercise, or just plain can't be bothered despite having had some time to figure it out. 

Some bored busy-body out for a walk hears a rifle shot done by somebody undertaking legitimate essential pest control on foot on his own land so didn't have to drive there (lets say spring lamb protection because that covers fox and corvid) but because the snowflake called cops its not allowed. Its not farmers fault plod have to respond, and if its in the countryside whats wrong with plod using some common sense for the duration?

This is precisely what shooting organisations should understand and explain to those who make general decisions.

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Scully - Yes it is a Unique Reference Number, it's part of the agreement with the landowner - the public have free access to the land and the owner's do not want Armed Response units turning up every 10 minutes - never been a problem over the last 3 + years but now TVP have decided that they will play God - much the same as with the FAC renewal forms where they freely admit to working outside Government guidelines.

Edited by bruno22rf
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2 hours ago, dodgy dave said:

are you working motty mending leaks

Not quite, but it has been business as usual for me. Work has not ceased for me.

44 minutes ago, Dave-G said:

Sorry to have to say this but that still seems clear as mud and just as generalised as before - possibly intentionally as a butt covering exercise, or just plain can't be bothered despite having had some time to figure it out. 

Some bored busy-body out for a walk hears a rifle shot done by somebody undertaking legitimate essential pest control on foot on his own land so didn't have to drive there (lets say spring lamb protection because that covers fox and corvid) but because the snowflake called cops its not allowed. Its not farmers fault plod have to respond, and if its in the countryside whats wrong with plod using some common sense for the duration?

This is precisely what shooting organisations should understand and explain to those who make general decisions.

Exactly! Who decides what is absolutely essential? How can any prove shooting is essential in every instance! It is simply ridiculous!

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Guys, I'm no BASC knocker but someone who thinks it high time shooting orgs start making table thumping gestures instead of taking the comfortable route to at least get legitimate shooters sensible enough to isolate themselves thought of as about the most socially distanced people there are.

Most of the rules are aimed at plonkers who continue to mingle in built up areas not wide open countryside.

 

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If it was essential to shoot pigeons before corona virus for crop protection I see it as still essential, as we should remember they are shot under the general licence not for recreation sport if they are damaging/diminishing (eating seed) a crop. 

That's my opinion 

Ask a farmer if he considers it important, as long as you are safe.

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