Biosecurity: shooting and the countryside

Everyone involved in shooting can help reduce the risk of spreading disease and non-native species by adopting a few simple habits.

• When visiting multiple sites in one day, plan the order of your visits to reduce the risk of transferring disease or invasive non-native species between locations.
• Where boot dips or kit washing facilities aren’t available, consider wearing different footwear or clothing for different locations.
• Check and clean footwear, clothing and all associated equipment regularly.
• Maintain good hand hygiene and use nitrile gloves where appropriate.
• Use an approved disinfectant, mixed at the correct concentration and used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Always keep boot dips properly maintained so they remain effective.
• Check dogs for mud, seeds and other organic material and clean them where necessary.
• Clean vehicles frequently, paying particular attention to tyres, wheel arches, flatbeds, trailers and vehicle footwells. Use game bags, roe sacks or carcass trays when transporting game, wildfowl or deer in your vehicle. Clean them regularly and always follow good game handling practices.
• Report any invasive non-native species sightings or concerns to the relevant authority.

Good biosecurity takes only a few extra minutes but helps protect wildlife, livestock, gamebirds and the environment for everyone.  Make it part of your routine on every visit.