BASC NI and British Deer Society NI have joined forces to host a Talking Stalking evening next month.
The BASC NI team will provide give a brief presentation on the Baronscourt Deer Stalking scheme and outline their work with the Northern Ireland Auditor General, in relation to the PSNI’s Firearms and Explosives Branch.
Officials from the Department of Agriculture, the Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) will also be in attendance to talk about notifiable diseases affecting wild deer and procedures that should be followed when one is suspected.
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Wildlife Liaison Officer Emma Meredith will also be in attendance, to talk about “Operation Wild Deer” and the PSNI’s partnership approach to tackling deer poaching.
Erfan Fadaei from the School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, will also give a presentation on the invasive muntjac deer.
BASC NI director Tommy Mayne said: “We are looking forward to working with the British Deer Society NI on what looks set to be a very interesting and worthwhile event which will help bring our respective organisations much closer together.”
John Hetherington, chairman of BDS NI and a member of BASC’s Northern Ireland Advisory Committee, added: “This is a great example of partnership working. We look forward to a stronger working relationship for the benefit of members of both organisations.”
Emma Meredith, the PSNI’s Wildlife Liaison Officer, said: “I am delighted to have been invited to speak at this event. The PSNI take the issue of wildlife crime very seriously. We have worked with partner agencies to educate and raise awareness.
“Operation Wild Deer is an initiative to tackle the issue of deer poaching. Deer poaching is against the law. Over the past number of years, it has been encouraging to see so many organisations come together to tackle illegal deer poaching.”
The event, which starts at 7pm, will be held on 28th June at the Cohannon Inn, Ballynakilly Road, Dungannon and is open to members of BASC and/or BDS and their invited guests,
Tickets cost just £10 and includes refreshments. For more information or to book, please call the BASC NI office on 028 92 60 50 50 or email the team at nire@0ld.basc.org.uk.