Day: 15 May 2020

Natural England approve seven new badger culling sites, including Dorset.

Badger by bluebells

 

It is reported that the new areas cover parts of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Devon, Dorset and Cornwall.

License holders are allowed to control badger numbers in designated areas between 1 June and 31 January.

Three existing control areas have also been re-authorised for culling to resume in Gloucestershire, Somerset and Dorset.

Natural England has confirmed to the licence holders the minimum and maximum numbers of badgers they can kill.

Government guidance states “all reasonable precautions must be taken to ensure that no badger is subjected to unnecessary suffering” and licence holders must keep a record of their activity.

This follows an announcement made by the government in March, that it would be phasing out culling in favour of vaccinations.

Along with gradually phasing out “intensive culling”, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said trials of a vaccine would take place over the next five years.

On Wednesday, 13th May a bid by the National Farmers’ Union to overturn a government decision not to introduce badger culling in Derbyshire was thrown out of the High Court.  The cull was set to go ahead last winter but the government refused to grant licenses to farmers.

Important message from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and RescueWe are currently experiencing dry weather and it is only natural to want to go outdoors and enjoy it with members of your household, but it is also important to stay fire-aware when out and about.

With the AMBER Wildfire Alert set to be in place for at least the next 10 days, we are asking the public to be vigilant and follow these few simple steps to help reduce the chance of a wildfire in the countryside.

Staying Safe Do’s & Don’ts:
➡️Extinguish cigarettes properly, don’t throw cigarette ends on the ground or out of car windows – take your litter home.
➡️Avoid open fires in the countryside. If you must have them, then ensure they are fully extinguished before leaving them unattended.
➡️If you see a fire in the countryside, report it immediately to the Fire & Rescue Service. Early detection can prevent it from developing into a large wildfire incident.

When calling the Fire and Rescue Service:
✅Get to a safe place
✅Note the fire location
✅Call 999
✅Meet the Fire and Rescue Service at the entrance.
✅Don’t attempt to tackle fires that can’t be put out with a bucket of water – leave the area as quickly as possible.

Landowners and Land Managers are also advised, where possible, to be prepared for fires and ensure that fire breaks are cut and well maintained with any cut grasses and vegetation removed from the site.

#Wildfire #Heathfire #Heaths #ProtectYourCountryside #Dorset #Wiltshire