From guns and gundogs to the latest shooting news; the complete online network for the British shooting community.
The publication of the shooting guide comes as the Birds Directive itself celebrates its 30th anniversary on 2nd April.
By Barnaby Dracup
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
European Commission launches guide clarifying the hunting requirements of the 1979 Wild Birds Directive.
In the UK, the law allows game, such as pigeon and pheasant, to be shot in season and pests to be controlled under the terms of general licences.
The new Birds Directive guide will help to define the law surrounding shooting wild birds.
The guide clarifies the hunting requirements of the 1979 Wild Birds Directive, the law that grants EU member states the right to make derogations allowing the shooting of specific birds.
The publication of the guide comes as the Birds Directive itself celebrates its 30th anniversary on 2 April, making it the EU’s oldest piece of nature legislation and one of the most important, providing protection for all wild bird species occurring throughout the Union.
Organisations representing UK shooters welcomed the guide’s launch.
BASC’s John Swift told Shooting Times magazine: “First, it gives high-level recognition to, and greater clarification of, the provisions of the Directive that cover the taking of wild birds, i.e. our sport. It is once again made clear that shooting within these guidelines is explicitly recognised and supported by the European Commission as a sustainable activity.”
Mr Swift added the guide also recognises the massive amount of habitat conservation provided by shooters and its benefit on biodiversity: “This official launch, together with the guide’s publication in all 22 official languages of the EU, reduces the future danger of member states using the Birds Directive as an excuse for local anti-shooting laws - and it will help resolve existing areas of conflict.”
A spokesman for the Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation of the EU (FACE) commented that the guide will iron out any disputes concerning interpretation of the Birds directive: “Though the guide has been online for nearly five years, with this publication it has only now been officially recognised as the key point of reference for the hunting of birds in the EU. In respect of shooting, it clearly states that the Birds Directive fully recognises the legitimacy of hunting as a sustainable activity, and that it provides social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits.”
According to BASC, for the past two years, neither...
Bryan Griffiths, 54, from Bedworth, north Warwicks...
To anyone with a new puppy or youngster in their care - don't all... Read more
Cheap clay shooting cartridges aren't that hard to come by - if y... Read more
Revised guidance on explosives for home and muzzle loaders has been p... Read more
Pay only £28.99 for a one year subscription to Sporting Gun, subscribe today!
Licences to take or kill game and to sell or deal in it will be axed i... Read more
Welsh hot-shot Elena Allen of Newport has bagged the bronze medal at t... Read more
Pay only £28.99 for a one year subscription to Sporting Gun, subscribe today!
Comments