Countryside Alliance

1. Repeal Committee meets for first time

Yesterday the leaders of the hunting world, including professional hunt staff, supportive politicians and Alliance staff gathered in London for the inaugural meeting of the 'Repeal Committee', which will guide the campaign for the repeal of the Hunting Act in the run up to the next election.

The committee is chaired by Edward Garnier QC MP supported by Lord Astor as vice-Chairman and, unlike both the Alliance itself and the associations that run hunting, it has only one purpose: to see the Hunting Act removed from the Statute Book.

The new committee will oversee the work of lobbying MPs, peers and candidates; of briefing and engaging the media; and of ensuring confidence in post ban hunting. The members are well placed to guide, advise and engage all parts of the hunting community in the efforts that must be made to ensure the abolition of the Act.

The time is right to re-engage every person who hunts, and everyone in the country who supports their right to do so, in the campaign to scrap the Hunting Act. Scrapping the Act is not simply of benefit to the hunting community. The futures of other field sports, particularly shooting, will be secured indefinitely by repeal. In addition, the interests of rural and urban people who simply believe in a tolerant society will also be greatly enhanced. This committee will help steer hunting past the potential pitfalls of the next two years and to ensure that every last effort is made to prepare the ground for the early delivery of repeal.

Four years ago, as the Hunting Act became law, the idea that there might now be a realistic possibility of scrapping the ban would have seemed optimistic. In that time, however, it has been exposed as one of the most pointless, illiberal and incompetent laws ever to reach the Statute Book. The time is now right to put this failed law out of its misery and the members of this committee are ideally suited to that role.

When we were fighting the introduction of the Hunting Act the entire hunting world, and the wider rural community, was engaged and active in the campaign. The last few years have been focussed on the ground to ensure that the infrastructure of hunting is maintained. Now is the time to start a renewed political and public campaign for repeal with the realistic possibility that the next Government will be willing and able to deliver.

We have just one aim, repeal, and will have just one chance to achieve it. This new committee will ensure that no stone is left unturned and no avenue is left unexplored as we seek that goal.

Simon Hart
Chief Executive

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3. Cut the VAT

The Cut the VAT coalition, of which the Countryside Alliance is a member, will deliver its 10,000-name petition to Downing Street this afternoon. Countryside Alliance Chairman Kate Hoey MP will be taking the coalition's message to Number 10: reduce VAT from 17.5% to 5% for all maintenance and home improvement.

This move would help the Government achieve its target of cutting carbon emissions by 60% by 2050. It would also benefit millions of UK homeowners by getting rid of cowboy builders, helping those who cannot afford vital repairs to their homes, bringing our empty properties back into use and protecting the countryside. Visit the website here.

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1. The new Code of Good Shooting Practice

Those fortunate enough to be able to go grouse shooting are already off the mark, but this week it was the turn of the foreshore fowlers to try their luck. With the arrival of September 1st, partridge shooting can also officially get underway, though many choose to wait. Either way, as summer departs, the thoughts of many Alliance members turn to the shooting season proper.

With the advent of the new game shooting season, the major organisations representing shooting have launched an improved version of the Code of Good Shooting Practice. The Countryside Alliance, along with the Country Land and Business Association, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, the National Gamekeepers Organisation, the Game Farmers Association, the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, the Scottish Rural and Business Association and the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, decided that it was time for a new edition of the popular and respected code.
This extract from the foreword sums up the need for the code: 'We must never be complacent about the future of shooting. Shooting and shoot management practices will be judged by the way participants and providers behave. Our sport is under constant and detailed scrutiny and we must demonstrate that we conduct it to high standards. The Code of Good Shooting Practice brings together these standards and makes them easily available to all who participate.'
The code is a good example of using self-regulation to fend off Government intervention. By its voluntary nature, not all may adhere to it, but over time it has proved an invaluable tool whether dealing with politicians or supermarkets. It points the shooting community in the right direction.
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2. Get nominating in the Countryside Alliance Awards

The Countryside Alliance Awards, formerly the Best Rural Retailer competition, are now open to nominations, so cast yours here. Daily Telegraph columnist Andrew Pierce recently started the hunt for the rural politicians of the year. The political awards and the title Rural Hero of 2008 will be judged for the first time this year alongside the now familiar (and much coveted) prizes for the best rural retailers. So get nominating and put your rural community on the map. If you would rather put pen to paper than vote online, download a form here and post it to 367 Kennington Road, London, SE11 4PT.

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1. The Countryside Alliance Foundation

The Countryside Alliance Foundation is a vital new charity set up to cooperate with the Countryside Alliance to build on the elements of Alliance work that has always been inherently charitable. The primary role of The Countryside Alliance Foundation is to educate the next generation not only to enjoy and engage with the countryside and activities within it, but also to understand exactly why these activities take place and the vital function they hold.

The first project released by The Countryside Alliance Foundation is an online learning tool aimed at children aged 7-11 years old. The free website, www.countrysideinvestigators.org.uk aims to promote an understanding of the countryside by guiding children through farms, villages, woodland and country estates and meeting various characters, such as a river keeper or estate manager on the way. The website is full of advice and supplements for teachers to guide their students through the journey, as well as videos, games and comprehension quizzes to ensure students are in keeping with Geography, Citizenship, English, ICT and Art and Design curriculum.

The aim of this project is to close the widening gap between town and country which has become so apparent in recent years by educating the next generation. From hunting, to shooting, fishing, and farming, examples of mis-understanding and mis-information are all too apparent and involve countryside dwellers, people who live in towns, as well as our governmental advisors and government itself. Both the Alliance and The Countryside Alliance Foundation recognise the importance of closing the gap between town and country and hope to promote tolerance through understanding in the next generation.

This new educational resource is just a start in addressing this huge challenge, but it is exactly where we should begin. Please do what you can to ensure that teachers and schools in your area are aware of www.countrysideinvestigators.org.uk so that as many children as possible receive the benefits of the Foundation's work.

Simon Hart

2. Opposition to European sea angling regulations

New proposals from the European Union to include recreational sea angling catches within the national quota threaten to subject sea anglers to a range of new regulations. Bill Wiggin MP has tabled an Early Day Motion which is gaining support in parliament and you can add your name to a petition on the Number 10 website asking the Prime Minister to resist the proposed changes

The proposals would place an unfair burden on recreational sea anglers and put at risk the £1 billion and more than 20,000 jobs recreational sea angling contributes to the economy. Last year the Government dropped proposals to introduce a licence for sea anglers after a concerted campaign led by the Countryside Alliance and we need to apply similar pressure to ensure that the Government resists these proposals.

3. New Salmon and Sea Trout byelaws

The Alliance has welcomed the announcement by the Environment Agency at last night's Angling Summit that byelaws would come into effect from 31st January which will:

a. Ban the sale of rod caught salmon and sea-trout.
b. Introduce carcass tagging and logbooks for the sale of rod caught fish.

This in no way will preclude rod fishermen from keeping fish for personal consumption, providing salmon are caught outside the mandatory catch and release period which ends on 16th June annually.

This is excellent news and should reduce the numbers caught and killed by the few anglers who routinely sell their catch. More importantly, combined with the carcass tagging scheme, this will severely restrict the opportunities poachers will have of disposing of their illegally caught fish. This is a measure recommended by the Salmon & Freshwater Fisheries Review Body and will be strongly supported by all caring and responsible anglers.

4. Young Countryside Alliance

The Young Countryside Alliance is a supportive 'arm' of the Countryside Alliance.

Run by a team of voulenteers, the primary aim of the YCA is to gather support amongst young people whilst teaching about the valuable campaigning work the Alliance does.

We are currently looking for voulenteers to set up branches of the YCA countrywide. If you are interested if finding out more, please contact Chloe Finch at the Alliance chloe-finch@countryside-alliance.org.

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This email is kindly sponsored by
The Present Finder of Sherborne

1. Sign up for Repeal
2. Army Benevolent Fund and Countryside Alliance Foundation Concert - Saturday 21 February
3. Jackson-Stops & Staff Countryside Alliance Point-to-Point, Sunday 22 February
4. Herefordshire Fun Ride - Kings Pyon, Herefordshire - Sunday 29 March
5. Forthcoming Events in and around Wessex

I would like to welcome all the new grass e-route members who have just joined the Wessex Grass e Route system. The Wessex grass e-route is a message which aims to keep you informed with what is happening at a local level, whether it be campaigning, events or fundraising. If you know of anyone who would also like to receive this message please email me at delly-everard@countryside-alliance.org with "subscribe" in the subject box.
The message is a two way means of communication so if you have any events or items you wish me to include of a countryside nature, please email them to me and I will do my best to put them in.
1. Sign up for Repeal
The Countryside Alliance's campaign for the repeal of the Hunting Act has been stepped up with the launch of a supporters' website at Repeal the Ban. If you are unfamiliar with the argument for repeal, download a copy of our "Case for Repeal" here Case for Repeal puts the argument in a succinct and powerful way. Don't forget to sign up.

2. Army Benevolent Fund and Countryside Alliance Foundation Concert - Saturday 21 February
A Concert and Readings, Sherborne Abbey, Dorset - Saturday 21st February
In aid of the Army Benevolent Fund and the Countryside Alliance Foundation.
6.30pm to 8pm. Tickets are £15.00 per person, available from:
Regional Director Fundraising, Army Benevolent Fund, Wyvern Barracks, Exeter, EX2 6AR and the Tourist Information Centres in Sherborne, Blandford & Dorchester. Assisted by: The Royal Wessex Yeomanry, 6th Battalion The Rifles, Dorset Army Cadet Force and St John Ambulance. Participants include Angharad Rees, Martyn Lewis, the Royal Signals Band, Isla St Clair, the Pipes and Drums of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, Emma Kitchener-Fellowes, and Major Peter Norton.
Patronage:
Platinum - £300 - 10 reserved seats
Gold - £200 - 7 reserved seats
Silver - £100 - 4 reserved seats


3. Jackson-Stops & Staff Countryside Alliance Point-to-Point, Badbury Rings, Sunday 22 February
Following on from last year's hugely successful Jackson-Stops & Staff Point-to-Point, the national estate agent will once again be the lead sponsor for the third Countryside Alliance Point-to-Point to be held at Badbury Rings on Sunday 22 February 2009. The day will raise funds for both the Countryside Alliance and Dorset Riding for the Disabled Association.

From 9am, the course will see a wide range of attractions such as terrier and ferret racing, a horn blowing competition, excellent locally produced food on sale, trampolines for children and a Junior Blood Hound chase around the course. A sight not to miss will be a Donkey Derby with representatives from seven local hunts battling it out down the Home Straight, with an introduction from each jockey by Channel 4 Racing's Alice Plunkett.

Countryside Alliance President, Baroness Mallalieu, will open the racing at 12pm. The six sponsored races will include qualifiers for the Connolly's Red Mills National Intermediate Series and the Harley Racing National Novice Riders Competition.


4. Herefordshire Fun Ride - Kings Pyon, Herefordshire - Sunday 29 March
A fun ride will take place at Wistaston Farm, Kings Pyon, Hereford, HR4 8PZ, by kind permission of the Garnstone Estate, in aid of the Countryside Alliance and the Air Ambulance. There will be a choice of routes on grass - 5 miles, 7 miles or 12 miles over beautiful rolling Herefordshire countryside. There will be 50 optional jumps and very little roadwork. Costs: £15 per horse, £10 for riders under 13yrs. Please note: Under 13 year olds must be accompanied by an adult. First horse 10.00am - Last horse 1.00pm. For further information please contact Steve Klenk on 07831 120948 or Graham Baker on 07831 119337


5. Forthcoming Events in and around Wessex

. Charity Race Evening - Friday 13 February - Long Newnton Church near Tetbury, Gloucestershire will see a charity race evening on Friday 13th February at 7.15pm, in aid of the Injured Jockey's Fund and Long Newnton Church. A panel of guests will discuss all the current racing news, including up to the minute information on runners at the upcoming Cheltenham Festival, chaired by HRH The Princess Royal. Guests include Mick Fitzgerald, Gold Cup and Grand National winning jockey; Lord Teddy Grimthorpe, Racing Manager for Juddemonte; Willie Carson, OBE, five time Champion Flat Jockey and Alan King, Leading National Hunt Trainer. Tickets must be booked in advance and are £30 each £20 if you live in the parish of Long Newnton) and are available from Michael Tucker on 01666 502352 or meg.tucker@virgin.net

. The South Dorset Hunt are organising a fund raising music festival opposite their point-to-point course at Milborne St Andrew over the weekend of 19 - 21 June 2009. The theme is 'the best of Dorset music food and drink' with local bands, locally sourced food, and locally brewed ale, and camping! Ben Waters who last year played with Chuck Berry on his European tour, headlines the weekend on Saturday. The Festival will start with three bands on Friday evening, followed by seven bands on Saturday, with a further three bands on Sunday. Prices are £10 - £60, with discounts available before 1 June. For further details, please see Untitled Document 24hr ticket hotline 01305 852740. Any queries: please ring David Walsh on 07770 343441

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5th February 2009


1. High Court delivers new blow to the Hunting Act

2. Local Works

3. Group Discount for the Convention on Modern Liberty

1. High Court delivers new blow to the Hunting Act

Many of you will be aware of all or part of the story of Tony Wright, the first huntsman to be prosecuted under the Hunting Act, but after his victory in the High Court yesterday it is worth repeating. Tony's story is very much the story of the demise of the Act.

A few weeks after the Hunting Act came into force in February 2005 Tony, huntsman of the Exmoor Foxhounds, took two hounds from the kennels near the village of Simonsbath to a meet at Prayway Head. He was setting in train a chain of events that would lead, four years later, to the High Court and yesterday's judgment that has brought the repeal of that law significantly closer.

Six months later he was served with a summons to face a private prosecution by the League Against Cruel Sports. A Magistrates Court in Barnstaple found him guilty, despite the fact that he was very publicly using just two hounds to flush foxes to a gun as he thought the law allowed. He appealed, and in December 2007 the Crown Court in Exeter threw out his conviction finding that he had been hunting legally and observing that the Hunting Act "is far from simple to interpret or to apply".

That was not, however, the end of the case. Two other courts were due to hear cases, including one against the Devon and Somerset Staghounds who also became party to the judgment, and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) appealed to try and clarify some of the confusion. The appeal reached the High Court before Christmas where the CPS argued that it should be for people like Tony carrying out exempt hunting to prove that they were hunting legally and that the mere act of searching for a mammal should be included in the offence of 'hunting'.

Yesterday the High Court rejected that appeal and upheld the judgment that acquitted Tony Wright. In legal terms the judgment limits the definition of 'hunting' to the pursuit of a mammal with dogs; it upholds the presumption of innocence for people involved in legal hunting by putting the burden of proof on the prosecution to prove that any hunting is illegal; and it confirms that 'hunting' can only be intentional - you cannot hunt by accident.

In practical terms the ruling will make the prosecution of those involved in exempt hunting much more difficult. The CPS argued in court that if it lost this appeal "prosecutions under the 2004 Act would rarely be viable". Only three hunts have been successfully prosecuted since the Act came into force in 2005, and 5 people connected to them have been convicted. If prosecutors do not regard the Act as viable then there may now be even fewer cases. The police, meanwhile, will be left wondering how to enforce the unenforceable.

In political terms the judgment brought a barrage of comment on the failure of the Hunting Act and the need for repeal headed by powerful editorials in the Times and the Telegraph.

Four years of confusion have led politicians of all parties to realise that, whatever their views on hunting, the Hunting Act has failed. Repeal of the Act has moved from a possibility to a probability and it is now incumbent on all of us to follow Tony's lead and do our part in the final push towards repeal. There is a maximum of 483 days to the next election and in that time no-one must be left in any doubt of our commitment, or of the unarguable case for repeal.

The Act must be repealed so that when Tony Wright takes the Exmoor hounds to Pray Way Head in two years time he does not have to worry about whether his hunting is legal, whether there is an animal rights activist covertly filming him, or whether he will face another vindictive prosecution.


Simon Hart

2. Local Works

After 5 years of campaigning the Local Works coalition, of which the Countryside Alliance is a leading member, achieved a great campaign victory that saw the Sustainable Communities Act became law. It provides a channel for local people to drive central government assistance and action to improve and protect the economic, social and environmental well being of their area.

The potential of the Act is huge; it could be used by citizens, communities and councils to:

. Protect local services like Post Offices
. Increase renewable energy, public transport or local food
. Change the planning rules
. Change government policy or even force new legislation

The Act's process started on 14th October 2008 when the Government invited all local authorities to use it. Only if your council/s choose to use this Act will you be able to use it too. Local Works coalition are holding a public meeting Tue 10th Feb 2009, 7-9pm in The Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House, Parliament, Victoria Embankment, Westminster SW1A 2LW to explain how to use this Act.


Speakers include Rt HonOliver Letwin MP (Chairman of the Conservative Policy Review), Julia Goldsworthy MP (Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government) and John Wright (Federation of Small Businesses National Chairman). This is a free, public event and no booking is required. Click here for more information.

3. Group Discount for the Convention on Modern Liberty

Save £10 on each standard ticket in your group if you are a group of 4 to 10 people who wish to attend the London Convention on Modern Liberty event. Choose a liaison person, send his or her name and e-mail address together with the number of people in your group to Clare Coatman: clare.coatman@opendemocracy.net

She will give you a discount code no. to key in when you order your standard tickets. We have reserved 200 tickets for group discounts on a first come first served basis up until February 19 - so act fast.

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"Traditional Business Award: A.M. Hobbs Firearms and Angling, Midsomer Norton, Somerset A. M. Hobbs Firearms - Home 01761 413961. Alison says: “’Podge’ provides exceptional service and knowledge of a kind not often seen these days. Whether it be rifles, shotguns, game fishing, sea fishing or coarse fishing Podge will go the extra mile to help. Fieldsports are such an integral part of Westcountry life and it is a pleasure to be honouring this shop in the Countryside Alliance Awards.”

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Thursday, 26 February 2009​

1. 'Divide and rule' will never work
2. Rural Housing in the Recession - a call for evidence


1. 'Divide and conquer' will never work

For most of us the shooting season ends on 1st February, but for a hardy few the season for ducks and geese extended to last Friday, 20th February, below the High Water Mark of ordinary spring tides.

A relatively small proportion of British shooters take advantage of the opportunity; for those who do it is a cherished extension to the season, and this year, with sub-zero temperatures over most of the country, early February saw plenty of ducks and good shooting on many estuaries.

February wildfowling is special to Britain, as is shooting ducks and geese at night under the light of the moon which, again, is something that very few of us have ever experienced. There also still remain on our firths and estuaries a handful of gunning punts, a reminder of an age when every such area would have supported several professional punt gunners who spent their winters in the chilly and dangerous occupation of harvesting wildfowl for the market.

A few years ago the odds would have been on one, or all, of these activities being the subject of a political battle by now. They are all prohibited in at least some other countries and their small number of participants makes them ideal targets for the 'divide and conquer' strategy of the animal rights movement and their friends in parliament.

This has not happened for the same reason that animal rights groups have not "acquired new areas of land such as moorland, foreshore and wetland for the anti-shooting campaign" as they pledged to do in the wake of the Hunting Act. The reason is that we have refused to be divided. The countryside stood together against the Hunting Act and, with very few exceptions, was not taken in by the weasel words of the Government.

We knew that it was not possible to attack hunting and at the same time leave shooting and the rest of the countryside untouched. We know now that a victory for hunting and the repeal of the Hunting Act would be the greatest protection that shooting could ever have. We have an opportunity in the next 18 months to protect shooting, on the foreshore and inland, in November and in February, under the sun and under the moon, for a generation. Whether 'fowler, pheasant shooter or fox hunter this is not an opportunity we can afford to miss.

Simon Hart
Chief Executive

2. Rural Housing in the Recession - a call for evidence

The Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) has "been asked by the Secretary of State for DEFRA to provide regular reports about the impacts of the economic downturn on rural businesses, employment and households. These reports will help enable the voice and needs of rural people, businesses and communities to be put to the National Economic Council."

In March, CRC is examining the impact of the recession on rural housing:

. The impact on rural house prices and sales
. The impact on the slowdown on rural builders, housing associations, local authorities and developers
. The impact of rural people and communities suffering from repossession or housing distress
. The impact on rural people in housing need

CRC would be interested in hearing from you and of your first hand experiences, whether you are a rural housing association, a rural local authority, a rural based builder, a rural housing developer or someone struggling to find a new home or stay in their existing accommodation . They would also like to hear from communities in housing need or from people suffering from housing distress due to higher lending costs or loss of employment. CRC is looking for evidence of impact and also suggestions for the government for new policies to help alleviate these problems.

The report will be published in mid March, and we would value hearing from you by the 6th of March if possible Please email your comments to juliet.johnson@ruralcommunities.gov.uk

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11th March 2009
1. Tragedy in Warwickshire

2. Countryside Alliance Awards

3. Calling all fly-tipped farmers in the North West

1. Hunting fatality

Many of you will already be aware of the horrific incident at Long Marston airfield in Warwickshire on Monday. Trevor Morse, a passionate and committed supporter of the Warwickshire Hunt and the Alliance, was killed by a gyrocopter that had been used by anti hunt monitors to follow the hunt for some weeks.

This is not the time or place to discuss details of what happened, or why. The truth will emerge from the various inquiries already in play. It is a time to think about Trevor's family and friends. One of those friends, Warwickshire Joint-Master Sam Butler, paid him a fitting tribute: "Trevor was a very great supporter, a passionate believer in country sports and hunting and the tribute I pay is not only to him but to his family. This man was the most loyal and most high quality supporter of hunting you will ever find. Outside his family, it was the most important thing to him."

A police investigation is ongoing and two people who we believe are linked to a local animal rights group called Protect Our Wild Animals (POWA) are being questioned on suspicion of murder. The legal process will continue, and along side that we will be restating our concerns to the police and other bodies about the behaviour of animal rights activists (who frequently masquerade as monitors) in relation to hunts.

There is one basic truth that still seems to escape anti-hunt groups: it is the role of the police, and no-one else, to uphold the law. Animal rights activists cannot appoint themselves to police hunting any more than any other activist can appoint themselves to police any other law. No-one could ever have predicted that the behaviour of the anti-hunting groups could have led to an incident as horrific as that on Monday, but it was always bound to cause conflict and concern, and raise tensions.

Ironically, yesterday we also received news that would have delighted Trevor Morse as much as it has everybody else in the countryside. In the wake of the recent High Court ruling on the Hunting Act, and the Director of Public Prosecution's decision not to appeal, the Crown Prosecution Service has dropped all charges against Julian Barnfield, Huntsman of the Heythrop Hunt. His prosecution was the result of a concerted campaign waged by POWA, with help from the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and its collapse reveals as a complete nonsense the anti-hunting response to the High Court judgment. The Hunting Act is a fundamentally flawed piece of legislation and it is now even less likely, although not impossible, that hunts will be prosecuted.

There are no reasonable arguments left for retaining the Hunting Act, so getting rid of it need not be complicated or time consuming. Bad laws should be repealed, and this is a very bad law. Legal progress is important but it is another reason for repeal, not a substitute for it. The Act has failed completely and for the sake of Trevor, and everyone else affected by a law which promotes so much conflict and confusion, it cannot be allowed to remain in force.

Simon Hart

2. Countryside Alliance Awards

On Saturday 14th March 2009 the Weekend section of the Daily Telegraph will reveal the winner of the Daily Telegraph's Traditional Business in the Countryside Alliance Awards. The regional winners of the category are listed in a roll of honour below - but who will the winner be?

The national final of the 2008 Awards will be held on Wednesday 18th March at the House of Lords in London. Regional winners from across four categories will be at the reception, and the winners of the Local Food, Village Shop/ Post Office and Enterprise categories will be announced live, joining Saturday's Telegraph winner in the pantheon of 2008.

Also at the reception next week the Rural Hero of 2008 will be revealed alongside the winners of the inaugural Countryside Alliance Political Awards.

Chief Executive Simon Hart will introduce you to all of the 2008 national Award winners in next week's grass e-route. Good luck all!

3. Calling all fly-tipped farmers in the North West

The Countryside Alliance has long been concerned about the impact fly-tipping has on communities. We put this crime on to the political agenda in 2007 with the launch of our 'Scrap it' campaign which uncovered the true extent of the problem across the UK and saw us publish our action plan to fight the blight. Since 2007 the Alliance has continued to highlight to Government the problems faced by landowners suffering from fly-tipping, put forward practical solutions and lobbied for change.

We are involved in the "Landowner Partnership Project" (LPP) working with the Environment Agency, Defra and a number of other public and private bodies. The LPP aims to reduce the environmental, social and economic impact of fly-tipping on private land. The Government realises that this situation, which it is estimated to cost landowners £47 million a year, has to change, but before it can make informed decisions on how to tackle fly-tipping on private land,it needs clear and accurate data on the scale and nature of the problem.

Currently, consistent records are not kept on fly-tipping incidents on private land and this is where we need your help. We are supporting a pilot project in the North West and are looking for farmers and landowners in the area who have a problem with fly-tipping on their land to contribute.The project simply involves recording fly-tipping incidents on your land throughout the year and submitting it to the Environment Agency. If you would like to participate or require further information then please email fly-tipping@countryside-alliance.org

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26th March 2009

1. Hunting round-up

2. Fisheries risk assessment

3. The Keeper (DVD)

4. Roadside rescue for you and your horse

5. Cumbria's Springtime 'Festival of Fishing'

1. Hunting round-up
Bryan Griffiths, the man charged with the murder of our member Trevor Morse, has appeared before Warwick Crown Court and been remanded in custody until a hearing on 27th May. It will undoubtedly be many months before he faces trial. We never needed any convincing of the extreme obsession of the animal rights movement, but the behaviour of those anti-hunting activists most closely associated with Trevor's killer is an illustration to the rest of the world how extreme these people are. A man is dead and another faces imprisonment yet all they can do is to continue to write letters to the press about the evils of hunting and alleging breaches of the comparatively irrelevant Hunting Act. Remorse, regret and reason seem to play no part in their lives.

The Warwickshire Hunt has announced that a memorial fund has been set up in the memory of Trevor Morse. The fund's purpose will primarily be to assist the Morse family in meeting expenses associated with this tragic incident, and the lengthy legal process that will certainly follow. The fund will also support projects which will reflect Trevor's love of hunting and the countryside and his passion for the Warwickshire Hounds. To find out how to make a donation go to: The Trevor Morse Memorial Fund

Trevor's tragic death has occurred against a back-drop of anti-hunting groups trying desperately to put a brave face on defeat when the High Court threw out the Crown Prosecution Service's appeal in February. That judgment completely contradicted their interpretation of what is illegal under the Hunting Act, and how a case must be proved. Douglas Batchelor of the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) was, however, keen to dismiss any suggestion that the judgment was an indictment of the Act: "It is really a victory for clarity in the law and the backlog of hunting cases will be able to pass through the courts" he stated. The problem for Mr. Batchelor and his friends is that the "backlog" of CPS cases against hunts totalled two, now both discontinued. All charges against Julian Barnfield of the Heythrop, and Maurice Scott, Donald Summersgill and Peter Heard of the Devon and Somerset Staghounds, have been dropped.

The only other case that was adjourned pending the High Court judgment is that brought by LACS itself against the Isle of Wight Hunt following an incident in 2006, and LACS cannot drop that case without admitting that it has been talking nonsense all along. It seems likely, therefore, that a magistrate's court in Portsmouth will spend a week in June deciding whether LACS can prove that the hunt was hunting and, if it was, whether that hunting was enabling its bird of prey to hunt a wild mammal. This must come very close to a perfect description of pointlessness.

Of course, we cannot, and must not, be complacent. However ineffectual we (the CPS, the media and the wider public) know the Hunting Act to be, prosecutions remain possible. Legal confusion is no alternative to a proper Parliamentary solution - repeal.

Simon Hart
Chief Executive


2. Fisheries risk assessment

As millions of anglers renew their rod licence for the 2009 season, the Countryside Alliance has prepared a useful health and safety risk assessment guide to help fisheries protect themselves.

A court ruling in April 2008 saw seven saboteurs acquitted of aggravated trespass because the shoot in question did not have a written health and safety policy. Following this finding the Alliance prepared a useful guide to help shoots with this side of their business, and has now extended this advice to fisheries.

In relation to fishing, the Health and Safety at Work Act requires that every fishery owner, river or still water, and manager who employs five or more people is required to 'prepare and, as often as may be appropriate, revise a written statement of his general policy with respect to the health and safety at work of his employees and the organisation and arrangements for the time being in force for carrying out that policy'. Remember, employees may be temporary, and they could even be regarded as 'employees' if they receive only payment in kind, such as fishing passes or fish.

This law is relevant to all fisheries, and will be as useful to owners of coarse fisheries as it is to informal syndicates of friends with fishing rights on a chalkstream. The Alliance's guide identifies five steps to assessing and managing risk and also includes a dummy written risk assessment form.

Tim Hoggarth, Countryside Alliance fisheries officer commented: "It is vital in this day and age that all businesses conform to Health and Safety legislation. Last year's saboteur ruling was a bitter pill and, while an extreme example, it highlighted the fact that having a written risk assessment in place is not a choice, but an obligation. I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable season and hope that fisheries gain peace of mind from getting this right and knowing they are four square within the law."

Download a pdf copy of the advice

3. The Keeper (DVD)

Heather moorlands are rarer than rainforest and found mainly in Britain.

Managing this unique habitat and ensuring its survival for future generations is of paramount importance.

This award-winning free DVD, which gives an insight into this iconic landscape, is an ideal educational resource which can help young people make sense of the world around them and the environment in which they live. It is also of relevance to topics taught in Key Stage Three Science, Geography and English and gives a well-rounded overview of moorland management for those studying countryside management in Further and Higher Education.

In the DVD - which comes with an accompanying booklet giving supplementary information about the habitat, management, the Red Grouse and other upland birds - Adam meets gamekeeper Fred after becoming separated from his school party on the moors.

On the journey to reunite Adam with his school minibus, Fred takes time to teach him about the moorlands - the landscape, the wildlife it supports, the birds that need protecting, the importance of sustainable management and the need to maintain a balance to ensure this unique habitat is saved for generations to come.

To watch "The Keeper" visit: Education

Or to order a copy of the DVD go to: The Moorland Association DVD

4. Roadside rescue for you and your horse

The Countryside Alliance, in association with Equine Rescue Services Ltd (ERS), presents emergency assistance and roadside recovery for horseboxes and trailers

What happens to you and your horse if your horsebox or car and horse trailer break down, or if you have an accident and are unable to get home? What happens if you need emergency veterinary assistance, miles away from home? Who would arrange overnight accommodation for you and your horse if you suddenly needed it?

ERS provides a highly professional, nationwide emergency service for horseboxes and horse trailers that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. ... For further information please visit the website.

5. Cumbria's Springtime 'Festival of Fishing'

Trout and pike anglers who have never fished in Cumbria are being encouraged to visit the county to sample some of the wonderful fishing available in England's 'mountain country'. And in order to lure them in, there's to be the 'bait' of a week-long 'festival of fishing' - starting on 16th May - that is being sponsored by the Environment Agency, and supported by leading UK fishing tackle brand, Hardy Greys. The festival website can be found at Fishing in Cumbria - Home - cumbria fishing festival, fishing festival cumbria, fishing in cumbria, festival of fishing cumbria

The fishing festival - 'Go Fishing - the Lake District' is to take place during the week commencing May 16th, and will feature events for both experienced anglers and those who may never have fished before. The weekend at the start of the festival will focus on introducing newcomers to the art of fly fishing, with the rest of the week involving a series of waterside masterclasses and workshops at a range of locations around the county, hosted by nationally-known and local fishing experts. The gateway event for the week will be held at Bessy Beck Trout Fishery, Newbiggin-on-Lune on Saturday 16th May.

Waterside masterclass hosts include; Charles Jardine (H&G), Ally Gowans
Jeremy Lucas (H&G), Clive Mitchelhill (H&G), Glyn Freeman, Stuart Broadhurst
GoFishing the Lake District runs from Saturday May 16th, until Friday 22nd May. The website can be found at Fishing in Cumbria - Home - cumbria fishing festival, fishing festival cumbria, fishing in cumbria, festival of fishing cumbria

In the News - the Alliance brings you regularly updated topical & relevant news stories.

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16th April 2009

1. Protests and the Hunting Act

2. Casting for Recovery

3. Cut the VAT

4. Fly-tipping


1. Protests and the Hunting Act

Some of you may have seen Robert Hardman's piece in today's Daily Mail comparing the Metropolitan Police's handling of the G20 demonstration to that of our demonstration in Parliament Square on 15th September 2004. We were all shocked by the number and seriousness of injuries inflicted on demonstrators that day, and looking back, it is amazing that there were not more serious consequences.

We are the first to echo the view that policing these events is fraught with difficulty, yet exactly one week after this incident 20,000 of us demonstrated in Brighton at the Labour Party conference. Tensions were high and the opportunity for 'flash points' even more numerous than before, but this time with real anger added to the mix. Sussex Police handled the event to perfection. It was controlled and peaceful; there were no arrests and no injuries, which suggests a clear distinction between the attitude of rural and urban police officers.

What is most worrying is that despite a detailed investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission's (IPCC) nothing much seems to have changed within the Metropolitan police.

20,000 demonstrators attended the Parliament Square demonstration, along with 1300 police officers. In the clashes that followed, 40 of our members received serious head injuries as a result of being hit on the head by police officers, against all instructions. There were 425 complaints to the IPCC and 31 officers received Regulation 9 notices. 17 officers had files passed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for crimes varying from Common Assault to Actual Bodily Harm.

Just prior to the IPCC inquiry a Metropolitan Police press release claimed that 60 officers had been injured, and yet none of the local hospitals had any record of admissions or treating any officers, let alone 60 of them. The inquiry involved up to 17 people from the IPCC and took 14 months to report. Of the cases that went to the CPS, there were no convictions, and no disciplinary action was taken against any officer, including those who removed their ID, despite, as the report stated there being "clear examples of some officers ignoring this instruction".

The Chairman of the IPCC wrote: "the images of injured hunt supporters cast a shadow across the reputation of the Metropolitan Police Service". That shadow was not removed by the IPPC's inquiries or its report.

On a brighter note the League Against Cruel Sports formally discontinued its private prosecution of four members of the Isle of Wight Hunt at Portsmouth Magistrates Court today. The case against Stuart Trousdale, Liam Thom, Jamie Butcher and Malcolm Purcell related to allegations of illegal hunting in 2007.

Since the Hunting Act came into force LACS has told us that practically every time hounds leave their kennels an offence is being committed. They have told us that the 'exemptions' are tightly drawn, and that hunting with a bird of prey cannot be done. Well they made the decision to prosecute this case on the basis that it was the strongest they had and yet it has not even got to trial. In following the lead of the Crown Prosecution Service, who have dropped all charges against the Heythrop and Devon and Somerset Hunts, LACS has had to admit what we have known for a long time - the Act is an unworkable mess.

Most sensible politicians have concluded long ago that repeal is the only response to a law as bad as the Hunting Act, but if any need more persuasion then surely an admission that the law has failed from the organisation that wrote it is conclusive.

Simon Hart
Chief Executive

2. Casting for Recovery

The first of Casting for Recovery UK & Ireland's seven fly fishing retreats in 2009 will be held in Powys next weekend, and the team can't wait to bring CfR's particular brand of magic back to Wales after a wonderful weekend at Caer Beris in 2008.

Casting for Recovery UK & Ireland is a unique outdoor programme for ladies who have, or have had, breast cancer. Any woman who has experienced breast cancer is eligible to apply to attend a retreat (with medical clearance from their doctor). Retreats take place over two-and-a-half days and all accommodation, meals, counselling, and professional instruction are provided at no cost to participants due to major financial backing from the Countryside Alliance. Appropriate clothing and fishing tackle is provided by Orvis UK.

The 60 participants who have already been through the programme in the UK agree that fly fishing offers benefits for the body and the mind; gentle exercise and a chance to reflect and escape in the beauty of rural Britain and Ireland provides what many ladies have said have really given them a boost after what has been a dark and frightening experience.

Retreats at Valley Dam Fishery, Llanfihangel, Heathcote Lakes, Warwick and Mount Falcon, Ballina, Co Mayo are all closed for applications, but applications are still open to ladies who would like to attend one of the following retreats:

* 17 - 19 July - Kimbridge on the Test, Kimbridge, Hampshire (applications by 08/05/2009)
* 18- 20 September Brookhall Trout Fishery, Lisburn, Co Antrim (applications by 10/07/2009)
* 25 - 27 September Forbes of Kingennie, Broughty Ferry, Angus (applications by 17/07/2009)
* 4 - 6 October The Haddon Estate and The Peacock Hotel, Rowsley, Derbyshire (applications by 26/07/2009)


Click here for the online application form

3. Cut the VAT

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has a unique opportunity in his Budget on Wednesday to take advantage of the EU decision of 10th March 2009, which allows Member States to reduce VAT on services, and cut the current rate of VAT from 15 per cent to 5 per cent for all private housing repair and maintenance work.

The economic benefits of a cut in VAT are now well documented. The European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC) claim that the experiment of reduced VAT rates for activities relating to the restoration and maintenance of dwellings in Belgium, Spain, Italy and Portugal created almost 170,000 permanent additional jobs. In France the scheme resulted in a ?500 million net increase in tax yields, disproving the argument that the scheme would burden public finances.

Cutting VAT also makes environmental sense. Making dwelling repair and maintenance work more affordable will encourage the reuse of our existing structures and promote more energy efficient homes through the implementation of more retrofitting of energy saving measures. The reuse of existing buildings helps minimise the need to send demolition waste to landfill, reduces the damage done by the extraction and transport of construction materials, and cuts the demand for embodied energy. Recycling our heritage by putting buildings back into beneficial use is an essential part of improving our quality of life.

The facts are out there. All that is needed on Wednesday is the political vision to see it through.

4. Fly-tipping

Have you successfully prevented or tackled fly-tipping? Then we want to hear from you on what you did, why it was successful and the lessons you learned so that we can share it with others in a similar situation. We will also be presenting the case studies to Government on what farmers and landowners are doing to prevent fly-tipping on their land. Please email fly-tipping@countryside-alliance.org with your experiences.

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The Countryside Alliance's AGM will be held at 2pm on Tuesday 16th June 2009 at the Worshipful Company of Saddlers, Saddlers Hall, Gutter Lane, London, EC2V 6BR

1. Coastal shooting rights
2. Summer 2009 Update now online
3. Quotes of the week
4. National Vaccination Month
5. Salmon stocks 2008


1. Coastal shooting rights

The process of creating legislation is not sexy, but it is an area where the devil in the detail could not be more important. The Alliance is very lucky to have a political team who have been through the mill and have an intimate understanding of the workings of Westminster. The Marine and Coastal Access Bill, which is currently in the House of Lords, is a case in point. Most of us would be snoring gently after the first page, but thankfully others have more fortitude and the Alliance, with partner organisations, has been scrutinising every clause.

The Government has managed to take a very straightforward idea - access around the coast - and complicated it hugely by proposing a "route" with associated "spreading room" rather than a simple footpath. What this actually means is anyone's guess although one thing is for certain: the Government is seeking to control the management of thousands of acres of land on the coastal margin. We became increasingly concerned that the Bill did not give proper recognition to all those who use the coast and in particular those who shoot there. The Government claims it is seeking "to strike a fair balance between the interests of the public in having access over land and the interests of any person with a relevant interest in the land", but after we put a series of questions to Defra it was forced to admit that those with "a relevant interest" in the land excluded the owners or leaseholders of sporting rights.

In practical terms this will mean that where wildfowling clubs and shoots hold sporting rights over land which they don't own they will have no statutory recognition as the coastal access routes and associated 'spreading room' are defined. The Crown Estates alone currently grants 59 leases covering over 700km of foreshore. Those lessees, and the hundreds of other clubs and shoots that lease or own sporting rights, will have second class rights in the process of reclassification of the coastal land they shoot over.

As it stands the Bill would allow Natural England to allocate a significant part of a marsh or shoot for access without consulting the holder of sporting rights.

Clubs and individuals who could be affected by this should contact our political team at mailto:james-legge@countryside-alliance.org and write to Environment Secretary Hillary Benn at Defra and contact their MP as soon as possible. In the meantime the Alliance will be working with our partner organisations and supporters in the House of Lords to try to get the Government to accept further amendments to the Bill.

Another action for this week is to respond to the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Standards consultation, which closes on 19th June. There are very few things that you cannot ever advertise on television or radio. In fact we can find only four - prostitution, pyramid selling, tobacco and guns. Under the current code the prohibition on advertising guns includes gun clubs and even clay pigeon shoots. The Alliance has responded to the consultation pointing out how ridiculous the code is. You can read our response to the consultation on our website and respond yourself here.

Simon Hart
Chief Executive

2. Summer 2009 Update now online

The Summer 2009 issue of the Countryside Alliance quarterly Update is now online. Click here to read it. In this issue, Chief Executive Simon Hart recounts a busy start to 2009; the Rural Manifesto and its importance are explained by Chairman Kate Hoey MP; Exmoor Huntsman Tony Wright explains "Why the Hunting Act has to go" and Rugby World Cup winner and countryman Josh Lewsey writes for the Perspective column about his love of the countryside. As well as these highlights you also will find the summer events listings plus news and our popular countryside Q&A.

3. Quotes of the week

The Countryside Alliance aims to keep you as up to date with rural issues as possible. Our website is updated daily with rural interest news stories, and the e-route is now bringing you quotes of the week.

"The hunt ban was an act of political triumphalism, a random kick in the crotch of the Tory shires. To save the lives of a few foxes - and only three cases have ever been prosecuted - cost a deep and lasting social division. That it was almost impossible to force through Parliament was a small clue that there was no consensus to support it, that it would always be unenforceable. Now it sits dead yet unmourned, still on the statute books, making a mockery of the rule of law."
Janice Turner, The Times, Saturday 30th May 2009

"Hunting is like religion in the countryside. I don't think there is anything I could enjoy more than running my hounds and the hunt."
Otis Ferry, The Sunday Telegraph, 31st May 2009

"I've only ever had one proper screaming argument with an animal rights activist. That was a great night. It was at a student party. She told me she believed animal lives to be worth just as much as human lives. I told her she was the most apathetically selfish person I'd ever met."
Hugo Rifkind, The Times, 29th May 2009

4. National Vaccination Month

June 2009 is National Vaccination Month. Participating vets will be providing your pets with discounted vaccinations, saving you up to £30 per pet, as well as a free health check. National Vaccination Month Campaign runs throughout June and will target Britain's 11 million un-vaccinated dogs, cats, rabbits and horses. Vets have warned of a ticking time bomb in killer pet diseases with fears of falling vaccination levels due to the credit crunch.

In answer to this disease threat and to help owners during the recession, around 2,000 veterinary practices across the UK are running a campaign for pet owners from 1-30 June, offering pets a full vaccination course against a range of fatal diseases for the cost of a booster. Dogs and cats must be older than 18 months and not have been vaccinated for at least 18 months. Horses must be over 12 months of age, and be un-vaccinated or overdue for an annual booster by at least 3 months. All owners have to do to take part is log onto National Vaccination Month to find their nearest participating vet and download a voucher

5. Salmon stocks 2008

The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) has published its annual assessment of salmon stocks for 2008. CEFAS has once again produced a valuable and detailed report, and anglers and conservationists should be rightly grateful of their continuing valuable work. The assessment has reported, amongst other things, that rod licences are up from 23,116 to 24,240 and short-term licences were up from 8,842 to 9,739.

There are concerns, however, regarding the continuing high take of illegal and unreported fish. Unreported and illegal catches are estimated to be around 23 tonnes, which represents 25% of the total weight of salmon caught and killed. This is an increase on last year and we are pressing for adequate funding to be made available to the Environment Agency's Fisheries function to allow it to carry out effective bailiffing on the river bank.

Read more headlines from the assessment here

Download the full assessment from the CEFAS website

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