BASC calls for working dogs to be exempt from tail docking ban

25 August 2010

BASC wants the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development to consider an exemption for working dogs, should a proposed ban on tail docking in Northern Ireland take effect. The proposed ban is contained in a Welfare of Animals Bill. BASC Northern Ireland has submitted its views in a consultation on the content of the Bill.

Changes to Welsh general licences announced

30 July 2010

The Welsh Assembly Government has published its decisions on what changes will be made to next year’s general licences for pest birds. Canada geese and ruddy duck will be added to some general licences whilst herring gulls, lesser and great black-backed gulls will be removed from most general licences. A voluntary police administered identification tagging system for cage traps is being introduced.

Where will you be going wildfowling in 20 to 50 years time?

8 July 2010

The future location of mudflats and saltmarsh on some of the best areas for wildfowling could depend on the decisions taken this year in updates to shoreline management plans across England and Wales. Make sure your wildfowling club is involved!

BASC response to dangerous dogs consultation

1 June 2010

In its response to a consultation on proposals to change the law on dangerous dogs, BASC has provided two main viewpoints to Defra. Firstly, BASC does not believe that third-party insurance should be compulsory for all dog owners. Secondly, BASC does not believe that all dogs should have to be micro-chipped.

Good news for shooters in Scottish wildlife law review

14 May 2010

The Scottish Government has announced that compulsory testing proposals for deer stalking have been scrapped and that game licences and sales restrictions will be abolished. This follows a consultation last year on the content of a proposed Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill.

BASC looks out for home loaders and pest controllers on EU laws

17 February 2010

BASC has sought clarity on a number of issues of relevance to UK shooters in response to consultations that affect ammunition and its components for home loading; for the use of scaring cartridges, rockets, rope bangers, mole smokes, flares and signal smoke.

Councils to receive funding for coastal change projects

3 December 2009

A list of councils, how much money they will get, and what that money can be spent on, has been published by Defra in follow-up to their coastal change policy. Funding ranges from £38,000 to £1.5 million per council. This is an opportunity for wildfowlers and other shooters to engage in local coastal change projects including managed retreat projects that could provide new shooting and conservation opportunities.

BASC calls for a better deal for shooters within the public forest estate

28 September 2009

BASC believes that there are currently double standards in the way in which recreational activities are supported within the public forest. For example mountain bikers and walkers enjoy the provision of extra infrastructure to support their activities whereas shooters have to pay for the rights to shoot over the forest and then pay for the shoots' infrastructure.

Wildfowling is a sustainable activity on Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve

11 August 2009

BASC welcomes the acknowledgement by Scottish Natural Heritage that wildfowling is a sustainable activity on Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve. BASC has provided recommendations for the future management of the site for shooting and conservation.

BASC Supports the Welsh Assembly Government Proposals to Eradicate Bovine Tuberculosis in Wales.

30 July 2009

The consultation seek views on an Order to allow for badger control strategies, alongside cattle measures, to pursue the eradication of bovine tuberculosis in Wales.