The minutes of the last meeting were signed and agreed.

The Chairman informed the Committee that he had written to Harry Abbott, Piers Frampton and David Reardon who were standing down from the Committee. He expressed his thanks for all their help over the years especially Harry, who had been a member of the Committee since it was founded – some 17 years.

The new committee member present were welcomed namely Andrew Walbridge, the other two new members, Michael Rae, and Tom Wylie who had prior commitments and were unable to attend the meeting. 

The following items were discussed:

Standardised Wildfowling Returns/Data Collection

After this subject was discussed at the last meeting, concerns were raised by some of the committee that insufficient information would be collected to defend a challenge  of ‘significant disturbance’.  This was subsequently discussed with English Nature who felt that if an appropriate assessment on a site was necessary then more information could be gathered as it was needed.  English Nature felt that it was best to have a minimum level of information that all clubs could be expected to collect rather than a more ambitious aspiration which could only be achieved by the larger clubs.

The committee felt that all clubs should be encouraged to collect basic data along the lines of the information collected on the Crown Return form.  In addition and depending on the size of the site, collecting information by zones may be appropriate. 

Ouse Washes

The committee heard that since the last Wildfowling Liaison Committee meeting, BASC has had a follow up meeting with English Nature and will be moving forward  with this project. It appears that English Nature would like to offer unrestricted wildfowling consents for shooting over the Ouse Washes in return for users following a simple code of practice. WLC member and past Vice Chairman of BASC Graham Downing  together with Steve Calton and Bill Deller all either wash owners or officials in clubs with shooting on the Ouse Washes are in the process of drawing up the code. New WLC member Michael Rae who is also a wash owner will join this group. Once a plan of action has been drawn up consultations with all interested parties will take place.

English Nature as part of this project is keen to include a Project Officer similar to the very successful post on the Somerset Levels which is jointly funded by BASC and English Nature. The post holder will liaise with wash owners and users helping to bring about demonstrable gains in wildlife.

The committee commended the scheme but stressed that when a firm commitment had been received from EN with reference to funding etc interested parties need to be informed via a series of meetings.

Grey geese in Scotland

The committee heard that there was little new information regarding the greylag goose population in Scotland/Iceland, given that new studies were only just getting underway to improve understanding of their true wintering numbers and distribution. The committee was informed that BASC's work with the Scottish Executive to improve estimates of the shooting kill in Scotland was only part way through. It was noted that the most recent count of greylags (2001) had indicated a small but encouraging (apparent) upturn in the wintering population.

There was no new information on the hydro-electric developments in Iceland which had threatened the nesting pinkfoot population but which appeared to have been considerably changed following international protest.

WHT

The committee discussed the WHT and in particular the WHT stamp, sales of which they felt had been declining over several years.   The committee felt that more should be done to encourage wildfowlers and the shooting community in general to purchase the stamp. 

The stamp and associated artwork has huge potential and the idea of linking the subject of the artwork to a conservation project  was discussed, thus getting away from the idea of the stamp being perceived as a “duck stamp”.

Wildfowl and Wetland Officer

The committee was advised that the post of Wildfowling Officer will be advertised again in September.  The interview panel for this post have not found a suitable applicant who would have the knowledge to be able to talk on a face to face basis with the wildfowling community and also have credibility with English Nature, the Environment Agency and other government bodies.  WLC member, John Graham, is on the selection panel.

Wildfowling Manual

The committee was informed that a meeting has been arranged to go through the draft Health and Safety and Insurance sections of the Wildfowling Manual.   It is hoped that the draft can be amended and agreed at that meeting to enable this section to be printed and distributed early next year. 

The Frequency of Wildfowling Conferences

The committee discussed the frequency of Wildfowling Conferences.   It was agreed to continue to hold the conferences each year at a different venue around the coast.  Once the Wildfowl and Wetland officer is in place and more regional meetings are taking place this strategy will be reviewed.

Ruddy Duck

A general licence for the control of the ruddy duck has been issued by Defra.  This licence allows the control of ruddy duck by authorised persons, in England only, until 31st December 2003.   The licence will then be reviewed very closely.  A detailed report must be provided to Defra as soon as possible after the control has occurred, and no later than one month afterwards.  This is so Defra can account for the numbers being killed, the areas where control is taking place and the contribution this is making to the general objective of eradication of the ruddy duck in the UK.  There is no licence in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

All BASC clubs and syndicates have been circulated with an information sheet on the background, purpose and conditions of the general licence to control ruddy duck.  In addition, BASC has drawn up a recording form which can be used to send returns back to Defra when birds are shot or eggs/nests destroyed, and a copy of this form was also sent to all clubs.  This information is also available on the web site.

The committee was advised that Defra wished the introduction of this licence to be kept low key.

Summary of Wildfowling Questionnaire

The committee was presented with a summary of responses to the Wildfowling Questionnaire which had been circulated to clubs earlier this year.  The committee found the presentation very useful and after discussion it was highlighted that there should be further analysis of some of the questions. This research will be presented at the Wildfowling Conference in Kent later this year.

Promoting the Future of Wildfowling

The committee was advised that the next Wildfowling Conference to be held in Kent would focus on securing the future of wildfowling.  It is intended that any feedback and conclusions that emanate from the Wildfowling Conference can be used in future sections of the Wildfowling Manual.

The committee heard that the question of insurance and public liability was of concern to many clubs at present.  Other insurance queries were raised by committee members and in response, BASC requested that these be listed and sent to their head office for discussion with Marsh Limited, BASC’s insurance brokers.
 
The committee was told that Marsh Limited will be attending the wildfowling conference.  During the lunch break they will be available to answer any questions relating to BASC’s insurance cover. 

Secretary’s note:  Committee members were asked to identify any insurance issues they may have and forward them to BASC.  As these notes will be posted on the web site, BASC request that anybody reading these who has a query relating to the BASC insurance should contact the BASC Membership and Marketing team.

Egyptian Geese

The committee was advised that BASC had received a letter from a member in Norfolk asking whether Egyptian geese could be shot.  The response to this letter had been that Egyptian geese are protected.

Hevi-Shot Cartridges

Some discussion centred on Hevi-Shot and concerns about its being promoted as a long-range load.  BASC has impressed the need on its maker (Lyalvale) not to do this and to encourage its use to increase the lethality of cartridges at current ranges.

Date of Next Meeting
Saturday 28th February 2004 at 10.30 a.m.