GOOD NEWS

[FOXHUNTER 5,022]

Planned compulsory testing for deer stalkers in Scotland has been scrapped after lobbying led by the UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) and supported by other land management organisations. The move would have meant the estimated 20,000 people actively involved in deer management in Scotland having to pass a mandatory test.

[martin 332]

Common sense prevails at last

 

Martin

[Night Hunter 109]

I like how BASC always take all the credit,but hopefully this will be the end of this fiasco.took the following from the BASC website:

 

Press releases and events BASC: Compulsory testing plans scrapped for Scottish deer stalking

Wednesday, 05, May 2010 09:22

 

Planned compulsory testing for deer stalkers in Scotland has been scrapped after lobbying led by the UK's largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) and supported by other land management organisations. The move would have meant the estimated 20,000 people actively involved in deer management in Scotland having to pass a mandatory test.

 

This proposal had been expected to be part of the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill but after successful lobbying these proposals have been shelved. The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) is one of the main providers of deer stalker training in Scotland but was a principal objector to the introduction of mandatory testing.

 

The Government proposals could have made existing qualifications redundant. Thousands of stalkers will now be spared the cost of taking new examinations. It will also save considerable amounts of public money which would have been incurred in establishing a register for deer stalkers in Scotland. It will also prevent stalkers resident in Scotland from requiring a higher standard of testing than elsewhere in Europe.

 

BASC Scotland's press and policy officer, Nicolle Upton, said: "BASC Scotland uncovered misleading guidance regarding deer stalking fatalities in the consultation document for the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill. BASC's own research showed that three fatalities referred to in the consultation document were not associated with deer stalking, deer stalkers or indeed Scotland. The guidance given to the public in the consultation was misleading and undermined the already weak evidence supporting the argument that deer stalking represents 'a potential risk to public safety'."

 

"After months of lobbying we are relieved that the Scottish Government has recognised our concerns and removed the requirement for competence testing. Scotland already has one of the best safety records in the world; attributable to the high standards adhered to by our experienced stalkers and the voluntary training taken up by newcomers. We support industry-led voluntary training and believe that, in this area, Government control is both unnecessary and would act as a disincentive for vital deer management."

 

 

ENDS

 

REMEMBER TO KEEP LOBBYING YOUR MP'S AND MSP'S AS IT HAS ONLY BEEN SHELVED

Edited May 7, 2010 by Night Hunter

[john robbo 30]

This truely is good news. I really mean it as the system itself isnt ready or flexible enough yet to be compulsory.

Its that good its been posted on 3 threads.

regards john.

Its only a side step mind you as it is the way forward, the government police and other bodies want it.