![The BASC logo](https://basc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/basc-logo-600x400-1.jpg)
New woodpigeon licence ‘not fit for purpose’, says BASC
BASC will be pressing for significant changes to be made to new licence
Get information on the legal shooting season for mammals and birds in the UK.
Learn about our current conservation projects and how you can get involved.
Comprehensive information and advice from our specialist firearms team.
Everything you need to know about shotgun, rifle and airgun ammunition.
Find our up-to-date information, advice and links to government resources.
Everything you need to know on firearms law and licensing.
All the latest news and advice on general licences and how they affect you.
A proposal to consider excluding the use of general licences over some areas of land in Scotland has been challenged by the UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC). BASC is concerned that this could penalise innocent land managers and affect their livelihoods.
The plan was announced by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). Currently anyone convicted of wildlife crime in Scotland can be prohibited from operating under general licences, which allow the control of certain birds where they could affect the conservation of other wild birds, cause serious damage to agriculture or threaten public health and safety. Birds listed on general licences include crows, magpies, woodpigeons, and certain gulls amongst others.
The new proposal from SNH would extend restrictions to individuals and “certain areas of land” where SNH has “reason to believe” that wild birds have been illegally taken or killed. This “reason to believe” will be assessed by SNH staff based on evidence received from the police.
BASC raised serious judicial concerns when the idea was first put forward in 2013. Some issues have been addressed but BASC believes there is still scope for innocent land managers to be unfairly penalised and for necessary control of some bird species to be prevented.
BASC Scotland director Colin Shedden said: “The proposals have been improved by stipulating that only evidence from the police will be considered. This should reduce the possibility that mere suspicion or unfounded allegations of wrong-doing could be factors in decision-making. However, if police evidence is robust, as it should be, it would be in the interests of natural justice that a prosecution is pursued through the Sheriff Courts rather than restrictions being imposed over land for three years through an administrative procedure.”
Alan Balfour, Chairman of BASC’s Scottish Committee, said: “While we accept that the minister has now approved SNH’s framework for these new restrictions, we remain very concerned that the blanket nature of such restrictions will penalise innocent parties and prevent necessary management across areas of land.”
“For example, if an estate was to have the general licences withdrawn this would affect conservation and agricultural interests. If a tenant farmer had been thought to be illegally using traps then gamekeepers on the same estate could be deprived of the ability to manage crows on the moorland to help the conservation of ground-nesting birds. If a gamekeeper had been found to be in possession of illegal poisons then farming interests could lose their ability to control woodpigeons, which cause serious agricultural damage.”
“We recognise that the framework contains an appeal procedure, which we supported, and an option to allow land managers to apply for specific licences. However, there is no guarantee that these would be issued by SNH, despite livelihoods and other interests being at stake.”
“BASC has major concerns that evidence which falls below the level required for prosecution in court will be used for decisions with far-reaching consequences. We will be monitoring closely SNH’s use of these potential restrictions.”
Shooting is an important contributor to the Scottish economy, generating some £200 million per annum, attracting tourists and providing the equivalent of 8,800 full-time jobs.
For more information please call BASC Scotland on 01350 723226 or the BASC press office on 01244 573052
BASC will be pressing for significant changes to be made to new licence
Programme highlights impact on crops, livestock and vulnerable bird species.
BASC has been granted permission by the High Court to bring a judicial review of Defra’s decision to withdraw GL43, the general licence that allowed gamebird release in certain areas of England.
Sign up to our weekly newsletter and get all the latest updates straight to your inbox.
© 2024 British Association for Shooting and Conservation. Registered Office: Marford Mill, Rossett, Wrexham, LL12 0HL – Registered Society No: 28488R. BASC is a trading name of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm reference number 311937.
If you have any questions or complaints about your BASC membership insurance cover, please email us. More information about resolving complaints can be found on the FCA website or on the EU ODR platform.
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.
Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.
Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!
More information about our Cookie Policy