www.hawkboard-cff.org.uk
In response to questions raised from the meeting JH undertook to provide responses on a) how many semi-complete certificates had been discovered in illegal trade, b) to chase up a response from Defra policy on a possible protocol on escaped birds; and c) whether hybrids could be bred back to pure breds over 4 or 5 generations. JC asked about re-hab birds. JH replied that they would have to be examined by a vet before they would be considered for a CITES document. This was not retrospective so existing certificates still apply and progeny will continue to be ok. AKB asked about hybrids and JH admitted that he had passed it to Elaine Kendall and not followed it up.
UK Falconry Club: MC had received an application from the UK Falconry Club to become affiliated to the HB. They had produced proof of existence for more than 12 months, acceptable Rules and Codes of Conduct, a verifiable list of members, of which MC had verified over 50% and had provided a cheque for £250 to cover membership. MC was asked if meetings were held and he replied yes to field meets but not sure about others. It is partly run as a private Internet forum, which has member only facilities. It was debated about the advisability of allowing an Internet club onto the HB but it was finally agreed by a large majority to accept the application. CA Update: MC read from an update from James Legge: The RSPB Hen Harrier survey 2010 has been published saying that their decrease in numbers can be attributed to persecution by game keepers on grouse moors acting under pressure from their employers. The CA has responded.
This completed the Animal Health input and JC made a presentation of a bronze resin bust of a Kestrel to JH in thanks for all his help over the years. John retires in August. JH was very grateful and said a few words of thanks.
LACS have published an updated list of Mps voting intentions on the repeal of the Hunting Act. The figures are extremely inaccurate and misleading. In Northern Ireland the hare was not given full protection status but coursing is still banned.
Lantra: Julie Murphy stated, as agreed at the last meeting Module 3 will be launched at the FF. It is an optional unit and will be added to the Beginning Falconry Award. The current assessors will be able to assess mod. 3. MR is a new assessor and aired a few complaints about comments made by Mike Nicholls who took the assessors course. TB, whose daughter had also been on the course, supported him.
New Booklets: NK- people do like to take things away from shows.
Decision: MC & JM would speak to Mike Nicholls at the FF. JM continued: Module 4 was also ready which is the actual hunting module which will be assessed by the Clubs. All Clubs should go through the same AP which will be Achievability Plus to do all the paper work then they can carry on with the hunting and assessing. This was all accepted NF At the Festival there is to be a 3 day seminar and one of the topics is - (How do you teach your falconers). Would Julie like to attend to give the talk? JM declined but offered another, Lisa Jarvis, who would willingly attend. She finished by confirming that there was no longer a chief EV position.
www.ukfalconryforum.com
Falconry in the UK is 4 years out of date and will need a major update if re-printed. The booklets on nutrition and first aid may be able to be provided on line. No firm decision was made. F. Fayre: MC reminded everyone that this year at Ragley the HB/CFF were being provided with a large tent, tables and chairs free of charge for putting on 4 presentations each day. They were to be a film show followed by Lantra both mornings. The afternoons would begin with DS showing how to prepare hawk food properly then Vet Richard Jones would speak on Sunday and a Telemetry expert on Monday. (Not minutes: It is fair to say that DS stole the show both days. The tent was so full that some of those working there had to move out to make room.) CLA: MC reported that there was a new sponsor, Volkswagen, for the Falconry area. This will mean a change in design for the area and as we have been moved slightly from where we usually are there may be a tight fit in the camping
Supplement
Wild-bird/egg protocol with ongoing work pressures this has been shelved for the time being.
area. Tickets will be sent out in June along with any purchased reduced price tickets (they are now all sold).
Festival of Falconry: NF- Festival is now full steam ahead as the budget has been approved. There will be a British National camp for England, Wales, Scotland and N. Ireland. He asked for 2 reps from each country to be appointed asap. These will receive free airfare nd accommodation. One of their duties will be to rally the troops in their own countries. For normal travellers agents are getting quotes for group travel. TL has agreed to be the MC using English at the festival.
AKB asked about the eagles. The plan is for 10 falconers from different countries to travel to Abu Dhabi 3 weeks early to handle untrained zoo eagles in an effort to make them easy to handle for others. Apart from the UK camp all of the S. American countries are in another camp, Mexico & Spain etc in camps made up of clumps of nations. Each tent will have panelled walls on which it is intended to pin photos, some of which will be life size and the reps will be expected to help with this and to man the tent for the 3 public days. They already have over 200 birds and are trying to obtain those specific to guest nations. The problem is Goshawks and Pakistan may be the answer to take some and then be able to return home with them. The first 3 days will consist of conferences with workshops and speakers. At the same time in the dessert camp others will be training hawks and doing some hawking. Tepees are being brought from the USA and other native type abodes such as Yurts from Mongolia.
MC asked if a decision had been made about the festival shirts still in possession of the CFF. There were over 700. NF was interested and after a short bout of bargaining a price of £2250 was agreed and NF and MC shook hands on it. DP stated that there were also a large number of badges and TL, in a moment of unexpected generosity said that they could go with the shirts free of charge. NF continued, they would like an arena event from the UK and birds will be supplied. Visitors can camp at the dessert camp or their national camps. Hotels were expensive but there were group apartments available, prices not yet known. An audit has been done and 77 countries have asked for all the information in our booklet, Falconry in the UK so that they
June - July 2011
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