Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), also known as Cervid Wasting Disease, is a highly infectious, fatal disease which has devastated some populations of wild and farmed deer in North America.
CWD has very recently been diagnosed in four separate cases in Scandinavia, in a wild reindeer and also in moose. The risk of CWD entering the UK is therefore likely to have increased now the disease is present in Europe.
CWD is caused by a prion, a mutant folded protein, and belongs to the same group of diseases as scrapie, which affects sheep and goats, and “mad cow disease” (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy or BSE). This group of diseases is known collectively as Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies or TSEs. CWD is the most infectious of these – the name suggests a body sickness but actually degeneration of the brain and central nervous system is the main symptom.
A working group has been established to formulate a government and industry response, building on the work of the British Deer Society (BDS) over the last few years. The following information leaflet regarding CWD has been produced by the working group, of which BASC is a member.
For details on how to spot CWD, what to do if you suspect it and measures to prevent its spread, please click here for more information.
These schemes have been developed to provide a variety of different stalking opportunities for members who wish to take up stalking and to provide those with limited access to stalking of their own, the opportunity to gain practical experience and increase their knowledge.
Trophy Hunting BASC’s Position “BASC supports the sustainable harvest of wildlife in the UK and overseas and the import and export of trophies arising from such harvesting where they are clearly proven to be from a sustainable source; noting that well-regulated trophy hunting programmes play an important role in delivering
Deer Stalking Training BASC is a founding member of Deer Management Qualifications (DMQ). A partnership of organisations concerned with servicing deer stalkers and involved in deer management and welfare, DMQ has agreed national standards to which deer stalkers may aspire. As such, DMQ operates as the awarding body for the
