-----Original Message----- From: Emma Barron [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Monday, June 19, 2000 2:08 PM Subject: The Campaign for Shooting questions Burns widening agenda P R E S S R E L E A S E 19 June 2000 Release: Immediate The Campaign for Shooting questions Burns widening agenda The Countryside Alliance's Campaign for Shooting believes the Burns Report's attack on "the alternative methods of control" to that of hunting is grossly damaging to shooting and agricultural pest control. The depth of study into hunting with hounds has not been matched by that concerning other methods and yet he makes serious allegations as to their conduct. Chairman, Mark Firth said: "We believe that matters considered in relation to shooting, snaring and stalking fall outside the original terms of reference. Making recommendations on these subjects without proper detailed examination prejudices them in the way that hunting itself has been prejudiced prior to the commission of the Burns Inquiry. Much of the comment is based on shallow anecdotal evidence and not upon proper research and an understanding of the complex issues." Continuing, Mark Firth emphasised that: "The Campaign for Shooting's submission to the inquiry was careful to emphasise that farmers, gamekeepers and conservationists need a range of control methods at their disposal - including hunting with hounds. If any one of the existing methods of control were withdrawn, flexibility and suitability would be lost. We continue to stand by that view." He went on to say that limitations on terrier work would undermine upland fox control by gamekeepers, and couldn't believe Lord Burns had fully considered the safety implications of any persons without the necessary skill and intimate knowledge of the ground attempting nocturnal fox control with lamps and high powered rifles. Responding to the proposal that all stalkers should undertake mandatory training, David Bredin, Director of Campaign for Shooting said: "The report proves no need for such compulsion. Indeed there are well tried and tested voluntary courses and training run by those national organisations involved in stalking." More... David Bredin continued: "In terms of the totality of welfare, illegal methods and those practices that operate out with the 'registration process' probably have a considerably greater adverse impact on welfare than do the methods under discussion and yet the former were deliberately omitted from scrutiny. There are parallels that can be drawn to the constant attack on lawful firearm ownership and use while illegal guns outnumber those licensed and armed crime is on the increase." "Other inflammatory comments recommending rifle shooting, and attacking shotgun shooting and snaring are all based upon incomplete and shallow examinations of the subjects and do little to enhance the sound work done on hunting with hounds in the same report. The Campaign for Shooting will be fully involved with subsequent consultations and will take every opportunity to promote and defend safe and responsible shooting and proper management in the Countryside." "If nothing else", he added "this unprovoked attack on shooting and properly regulated management techniques has had the effect of unifying the huge number of those involved as never before." Ends... For further information, please contact the Press Office on 020 7840 9220 -------[Cybershooters contacts]-------- Editor: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Website & subscription info: www.cybershooters.org
