Fresh from the Director of the Deer Initiative this morning. It will take a while to filter through as my game dealer still hasn't heard anything. Good Job!!!!!

Dear all

We have now received the following authoritative Guidance from Defra (FMD Outbreak Wildlife Policy) please distribute as widely as possible. We will update our guidance on the website in the next few minutes. We are still clarifying advice on disposal of heads, feet and viscera and will circulate this shortly.

The following guidance is only relevant to a RESTRICTED Zone. Specific guidance for the Surveillance and Protection Zones will be issued in due course.

Scotland has different procedures which are detailed at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Agriculture/animal-welfare/Diseases/Specif
icDisease/FootAndMouthDisease/Licences/FMDDeer

IN ENGLAND:

1. Treated and untreated carcases of deer killed for human consumption can be moved off the premises of origin for movement to the game larder and/or a Game Handling Establishment (GHE) and from any premises through the usual wholesale/retail premises as necessary to the end consumer. They may NOT be exported.

2. Farmed deer can be sent to approved slaughterhouses. See link for details on approved slaughterhouses.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/abattoirs/approved.htm

3. Carcases and any part of a carcase including trophies not intended for human consumption cannot be moved off the premises of origin. Please note this is a change to previous guidance. Further interpretation of the legislation recognised that treated trophies can be sold but there is no provision for movement.

4. The FMD (England) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/182) requires that in a Restricted Zone, no person shall hold or take part in a stalk except under authority of a licence from the Secretary of State see Sch.7, para.6.

The occupier of any land as well as members of his household, as well as persons employed by him as beaters, and any member of a shooting party of not more than 3 people authorised by him may shoot deer found on that land.
Our guidance is that within these conditions, the number of people should be kept to the minimum needed.

If larger parties are required, or shooting that does not comply in any way with the paragraph above, then shooting may only be carried out under an appropriate licence.

At this time all restrictions in a Restricted Zone are in place and at present licences are not being granted.

quote:

4. The FMD (England) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/182) requires that in a Restricted Zone, no person shall hold or take part in a stalk except under authority of a licence from the Secretary of State see Sch.7, para.6.

quote:

.....and at present licences are not being granted.

If I get it right, we can go stalking provided we have a licence but we're not allowed to have a licence just yet?

Rgds,
FB

The legislation seems to distinguish between shooting deer and stalking.

If you are shooting deer according to this para you do not need a licence as the second para states.

The occupier of any land as well as members of his household, as well as persons employed by him as beaters, and any member of a shooting party of not more than 3 people authorised by him may shoot deer found on that land.
Our guidance is that within these conditions, the number of people should be kept to the minimum needed.

If larger parties are required, or shooting that does not comply in any way with the paragraph above, then shooting may only be carried out under an appropriate licence.


http://www.thedeerinitiative.co.uk/html/fmd.htm

1894,

I just spoke to Defra nad they are querying it. Apparently they are saying no movement. What I've done is try to explain to the lady there what we wish to do and she is coming back to me with the situation as they see it.

I think the biggest problem here is with terminoligy. They seem to be making any correspondence quite complicated.

Rgds,
FB

I had an update from the Deer Commission Scotland this morning..

In Scotland, there are two types of license; a General License, which covers everybody and allows for stalking in groups of three or under and what I would term as an "individual license" which covers stalking other than covered by the General license..It is this second "individual license" which is not yet being granted.

I did question the implication of the 3 person limit to a stalking party. Both the Animal Health Office at Ayr and the DCS believe this means that an Estate or Landowner can only have one party of up to three people out stalking at any one time..This has big implications for the large Estates on the Stags...The chap at the DCS said they are taking this up with the SE, who they hope will consult with DEFRA...

This restriction actually makes no sense, as no other users of the countryside are be deigned access, so you will still have gangs of ramblers wondering about over the same Estates.

In England & Wales, I think the confusion surrounds what area is covered by the "Restricted Zone"..

I understand it to mean the area covered by the Protection and Surveillance Zones, but I may be wrong on that...

Pete,

The restricted zone is actually everything outside of the protected and surveilance zones. So basically the rest of the UK.

My local animal health office confirmed that we are allowed to move Carcasses now. The Lady at DEFRA refuted it...?!?!??!?!?!

I think we are OK but I'm sure no one really knows what's happening. We're just a little bit to close to the outbreaks to do anything without being 100% sure.

Rgds,
FB