Duncan Thomas, BASC North regional director, took part in the BBC’s Radio 4 Farming Today programme this morning to emphasise BASC’s commitment to stamping out raptor persecution, whilst highlighting the steps taken on the ground by gamekeepers and landowners to see raptor numbers increase.
Duncan said:
He spoke of the progress that has already been made, mentioning the record-breaking breeding year for hen harriers across England and called for more transparency in the satellite tagged data so that BASC can work in partnership with other stakeholders to investigate the findings.
This morning’s programme also featured BASC vice president John Thornley discussing, in his capacity as chair of the Deer Management Qualifications, a new wild boar management course. BASC and the Deer Initiative will be launching dates for the new course later this autumn.
As part of a week-long series of shooting features on BBC Radio 4, the Farming Today programme has covered several topics on game farmers, vets and game dealers. Earlier this week Farming Today also spoke to BASC’s Caroline Bedell about the economic value of shooting in the UK.