BASC has issued the following response to the RSPB’s 2016 Birdcrime Report:
BASC chairman Peter Glenser said: “While the RSPB highlight issues which need to be addressed around raptor persecution, there is a need for clearer thinking on the implications for legislation.
“Shoot licensing is not the answer, it will not have any impact other than increasing costs and bureaucracy for regulators.
“The shooting community and organisations such as the RSPB have shared interests in high standards and an end to wildlife crime and this needs to be based on the facts and a common commitment to the task. The best way to achieve significant progress is for people across the shooting community and other organisations to work together.”
“Any incident of bird of prey persecution is unacceptable and the full force of the law should be felt by those breaking it. Any BASC member convicted of killing a raptor is expelled from the association and other shooting organisations do much the same.”
