Summary of the meeting of The Hawk Board, 29th April, 2009,
The City Inn, Bristol.
Present were Brian Morris(BM), Gary Gabriel(GG), Andy Barfield(AB), Jim Chick(JC), John Hill(JH), Pete Eldrett(PE), Grant Dudley(GD), Nick Fox(NF), Nick Kester(NK), Derek Stotton(DS), Nick Havemann-mart(NHM), John Hounslow(JHo), Doreen Page(DP), Julie Murphy(JM), Roy Lupton(RL), Graham Irving(GI), and Mike Clowes(MC).
Apologies were received from: David Horobin, Jemima Parry-Jones, James Legge, Steve Halsall, Andrew Knowles-Brown, Gary Biddiss and Dean White.
Matters arising: There was a brief discussion about invasive species. NF suggested we write to English Nature inviting them to attend but thought it unlikely that they would. Another thought was that 2-3 members should visit them to thrash out any problem issues. JC to write to them
CFF Update: As Terry Large was not present DP gave the update. There had been nearly £300 raised at the first fair of the season with sales and donations. There will be some expenses for new computer equipment and there will not be a BBQ at the FF or CLA this year.
CA Political Update: As James Legge was not present MC read a report supplied by him.
Natural England consultation on General Licences: The consultation proposing a number of changes to general licences closed on 31 March 2009. The Countryside Alliance submitted its response following discussions with Adrian Blackmore, the Hawk Board and the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation.
The Animals Act 1971 and the Application of Strict Liability to the Keepers of Animals:
Following sustained pressure from the Alliance and Stephen Crabb MP, who introduced a Private Member’s Bill to rectify the problems faced by animal owners in terms of strict liability, the Government announced on 27 March, that it is to consult on amending Section 2 (2)(b) of the Animals Act 1971 “to clarify the application of strict liability to the keepers of animals that cause harm or damage.” The Government hopes that a Regulatory Reform Order, to be introduced later on in the year, “will help to protect animal owners who have taken all reasonable precautions to prevent their animals causing harm.” The consultation, to which the Alliance will be responding, closes on 19 June 2009.
With reference to General Licences NK suggested that MC ask James and his team if they would alert us to anything which comes along that might affect us in case we miss it. He went on to say that he had sent our consultation to the CA who had supported it and has asked for EN to meet to discuss the possibility of falconry taking place without the need for a licence. DS offered to accompany NK to Leeds if required.
JC We have cash and may need to spend some of it on the issues of hybrids, non-native species etc. A problem could arise in Brussels as an EU Birds Directive. If we leave it until the threat is real we will be too late. PE asked what the IAF was doing and NF answered, “Nothing as far as I know”.
NK IAF have split the world into 3 regions: EU; non EU (USA etc.) and the rest of the world. In the EU we have FACE & CIC. We could be involved more with FACE but they are a hunting organisation and this could cause us problems.
DS suggested that the HB invite all EU states at the Festival to a meeting to discuss it. NK returned to the matter of invasive species saying that we need to be deeply involved. Tomorrow he will send to EN a letter containing “The HB has been flying hybrids and non-indigenous species for X number of years with no recorded impact on the wild population”. He will speak to FACE and BASC to look into the politics of it and NF and Andrew Dixon will cover the scientific side.
Animal Health: JH and Chief Wildlife Inspector Nevin gave a presentation on his Compliance Section. This included how the National Intelligence Model was used to target inspections and how the overall inspection programme was integrated into UK strategic wildlife crime priorities. How the profile of inspections had changed over the last 18 months and that the profile of inspections had changed from routine checks to targeted inspections in line with the government’s Hampton principles. He finished by giving broad outlines as to the nature of a possible DNA database of samples taken during inspections and in response to concerns by HB members he assured the meeting that any such proposal would be fully consulted upon with all affected customer groups and that all proposals would be auditable and receive appropriate legal clearance before implementation.
JH began his report, updating the meeting on the COTES regulations and Ports of Entry. In effect nothing had changed since the January meeting of the HB. He went on to ask that all club reps made sure that they informed their members that all applications for Article 10 certificates should be accompanied by the £25 fee. Without this the applications would not be processed. He finished by confirming that Animal Health would be attending both the Festival of Falconry and the CLA Game Fair during 2009. If there is any assistance that can be provided by WLRS staff at the Festival the HB has only to ask.
Falconry Festival: NF produced a new detailed map of the proposed layout. He stated that a number of VIP`s would be present. On Friday evening between 6.00pm and 7.00pm a champagne reception is to be held in the HB marquee for the IAF. On Saturday evening there will be a mediaeval banquet for 500. Tickets are on sale at £20 each. He then repeated the request for muskets and spars from the clubs. MC will no longer be the collecting ring manager but will man the HB marquee.
Affiliation of New Clubs: The Yorkshire Hawking Club and the UK Eagle Falconers Association have applied for affiliation. They have produced Constitutions, Rules, proof of existence for over 12 months and a verifiable list of members. They have also paid the HB levy. Both Clubs were accepted for affiliation.
Education: JM reported that there are now over 500 awards completed doing the husbandry unit only. This is a surprise and they are carrying out a survey as to why 70% have just completed unit 1 and only 30% both. As for assessors 72 have completed the award and 20 have been suspended from assessing until they qualify on the award. There was recently an assessor’s conference at which Nevin Hunter of Animal Health and Neil Forbes gave presentations. Excellent feedback was received. NHM asked if there was going to be another assessors training day soon. JM replied that they would do it when there were at least 6 persons elligible and available.
Game Fair & Falconry Fayre: MC reminded everyone that he would have 50 reduced price tickets to the CLA on a first come first served basis. As soon as he receives the tickets they will be sent out. Next year it will be at a new venue around the Northampton area.
With regard to the F Fayre this year he had paid £410 for the tentage for the first time. This will need looking into for next year.
A.O.B. NK will give the new newsletter and other festival fliers to DP to take to the Fayre.
GI completed an assessor’s course a few weeks ago. He thought that if raptor keepers rather than falconers took the award they would not be able to complete unit 2, which might be the reason for 70% of those taking the award only completed unit 1. He then thanked the Board for being allowed to attend the meeting and was completely shocked by the amount of work done by the Board.
JC asked how many of the clubs had responded to the consultation request by NK. NK replies, 2/3. He thought it might be a good idea for the future to send out a response template?
JC has found a website which gives your MP by postcode. This will be handy for future lobbying of MPs. NHM suggested it might be worth thinking about the HB supplying/selling rings to breeders as DEFRA are not now doing this. GD asked if there was exclusion on owls at the Festival. JC replied no, only on jesses on small owls.
Next meeting: 11.00am, Wednesday, 15th July, City Inn, Bristol.
