Thomas Docherty's Private Member's Bill will fail

25 January 2012

A proposed Firearms (Amendment) Bill, introduced by Thomas Docherty MP, to ban under-14s from holding shotgun certificates has effectively run out of time in the Commons and will fail. Holding a shotgun certificate does not allow children unsupervised access to shotguns and children applying for a certificate must apply in the same way as an adult. BASC opposed the Bill because the current law works safely and well.

Wildfowling, reference areas and marine conservation zones

25 January 2012

Reference areas, where all human activity will be banned, are being proposed as part of a suite of new marine conservation zones in English waters. Most of the reference areas are offshore but a small number have been proposed for saltmarsh and mudflats owned or leased by wildfowling clubs. BASC is working to ensure that wildfowling is not affected by any such proposals.

Hooded crows remain on pest birds list

19 January 2012

BASC would like to thank Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Jim Paice for stopping last minute proposals to remove hooded crows from the 2012 pest birds list. On 30th December Mr Paice asked officials in Natural England to leave the reference to ‘crow’ (ie. carrion and hooded crow) in the English general licences unchanged pending further discussion with stakeholders.

BASC memorandum to IPCC on Peterlee shootings

17 January 2012

BASC extends sympathy to the families of the victims killed and those injured on New Year's Day 2012 in Peterlee, County Durham. BASC supports a full Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation. BASC has produced a memorandum and submitted it to the IPCC.

HS2 – important advice for shoots

11 January 2012

BASC advises all shoots with a documented interest in land that could be compulsorily acquired along the route of the high-speed rail network HS2 to instruct an expert land agent to represent them in compulsory purchase and compensation matters. If you follow the correct process, the expert’s fees should be paid for you and your financial losses should be recovered.

Welsh action plan for deer management

10 January 2012

BASC welcomes the publication of the Welsh Government’s action plan for deer management. The plan recognises that deer stalkers and partner organisations such as BASC have a key role to play in the delivery of responsible, competent and ethical deer management within Wales. BASC advised the Welsh Government on the development of both a strategy and action plan for deer.

Keep Britain free of killer tapeworm

9 January 2012

The EU has approved the retention of tapeworm controls for dogs entering the UK. This derogation, which took effect on 1st January, will help keep the UK's dog and fox population free of the killer tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. People can be infected by ingesting tapeworm eggs from dog or fox faeces. This results in a long, painful and often fatal disease.

Government response to firearms control inquiry

29 September 2011

The government has responded to the Home Affairs Select Committee’s firearms control inquiry. Use this briefing to find out more about the response and BASC's reaction.

BASC alert to gundog owners in Wales

14 September 2011

A new licensing regime for dog breeders has been proposed in Wales to help prevent bad practices associated with ‘puppy farming’. BASC seeks an exemption for owners of genuine working dogs to produce up to four litters per owner per year (not per bitch) before they are required to register. BASC needs the help of gundog owners in Wales to make its case to the Welsh Assembly Government.

Can scientists help wildfowlers?

8 September 2011

A workshop at an international congress on Wednesday 7 September discussed whether cooperation needs improving between shooters and scientists on the management of migratory birds.