YOUR ACTION IS REQUIRED NOW!

Hello folks, having been quiet since the throes of the lambing are over, the time for you to take action on the issue of Ravens is now! SNH have made good on their word and have approached Calling for Raven Control for input into the 2017 species review. The consultation period is open and will close over the coming fortnight. However the outcome of this review will be largely dependent on the united voice of all those who have been affected or are concerned by the year on year increase in Raven attacks. Spring saw an exceptional demonstration of the scale of the problem with 3367 country folk and farmers putting their names to the change.org petition calling for the addition of the Common Raven to the SNH General Licence 02 and you need to ensure that your signature is not in vein. In short I’m calling on each and every one of you who has concerns or has been affected by Raven attacks on livestock to substantiate your signature by taking the extra step through the following SNH link; http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/GeneralLicences/ This is the SNH consultation and those who have been affected or are concerned should convey their experiences in as much detail as they can directly to SNH relating to SNH General Licence 02 which is in place for; “The prevention of serious damage to livestock.” Please take a minute to consider your points and make them as constructive as possible. Issues which have been highlighted throughout the campaign include but are not limited to; · Shortcomings’ with the current Specific Licence system for lethal control. · Low bag limits on specific licences. · Restrictive nature of the Specific Licence. · Outdated figures relating to population size. · Exceptionally successful breeding rates of the species. · Lack of understanding regarding dense population areas and problematic hotspots. · SNH’s current stance that specific licences and lethal control are as an aid to scaring. practices which are ineffective. · Livestock welfare and undue suffering. · Impracticality of changing lambing practices and the associated elevated risks · Financial impact on sheep farming community Calling for Raven Control will in the coming days be putting a factual based document to SNH for their consideration however it is each and every one of you sharing your experiences who will make the difference. Please ensure you take the time to make your voice heard. The momentum we had in the spring was exceptional and the last thing anyone needs come next lambing is to be standing wishing they had taken 10 minutes now to reduce the risk of hours of heart ache come next spring. Thanks and regards to you all. Danny Bisset. For and on behalf of Calling for Raven Control.