No great surprise that the main issues at the East Coast Wildfowling Conference on 27 September were coastal access, consents and land purchase. The programme provided an insight into the complicated issues facing so many associations today — and while I was aware of most of the facts, when it comes to the future of wildfowling, it is all in the detail…

Paul Miller, of the Environment Agency (EA), spoke on Legal Obligations under the Habitats Directive, under which the EA must develop both freshwater and inter-tidal habitats. Potentially this can be seen as an opportunity for wildfowling associations, according to Mr Miller, who hopes that along with existing partnerships with Natural England, the RSPB and the Wildlife Habitat Trust, new ones can be formed with clubs to provide compensatory habitats and sites. The EA can help with funding for such projects, progress and secure consents and approvals and offer technical expertise to aid in the design and realisation of conservation areas.

While this is all very positive, and the fact that there will be funds available for compensatory sites and long-term projects will, I’m sure be a vital aid to many clubs, the question of what is being done to protect those areas that are currently under threat remains – or will these simply be given up as already lost?

Next on the podium was Dr Chris Gibson, who had been given the unenviable task of speaking for Natural England (NE) — though my neighbour pointed out that Chris Gibson is one of the good guys. Dr Gibson picked up on the themes of erosion, coastal squeeze and loss of habitat, speaking in particular of the Stour and Orwell problem. However, the subjects of consents could not be avoided for long.

The problem isn’t simply that some clubs’ consents have to be renewed every year — which is being discussed by BASC and NE with a view to extending consents to five or even 10 years. There is far more to this subject than a simple question of renewal. The fact is that each region is dealt with by a separate office and, from what I’ve heard from various clubs, it is largely up to the personal whim of the relevant NE officer whether the consent is forthcoming or not.

This was put to Dr Gibson at the end of his presentation, to which he replied: “Natural England is addressing the issue.” So can we expect equilibrium when it comes to NE’s future dealings with wildfowling associations? And what of the associations that are, in the meantime still having trouble with consents?

Later, I spoke with a member of an east coast club and asked him what he had made of the statements regarding consents. “You hear a different story from every area — some get on extremely well with their officer, while others are having huge problems, which is purely down to the individual NE representative. And when it comes to BASC discussing the matter of consents with NE — is BASC really representing the associations? The trouble is that BASC is speaking on behalf of all clubs, but I’m not sure all the clubs want to be represented by BASC.”

Dr Gibson led on from consents with the issue that is one of the deciding factors in the granting of consents: disturbance. Under the EU directives, it is a case of guilty until proven innocent — the disturbance of wildfowl must be shown to be insignificant and sustainable (how long is a piece of string?). “We are not concerned by the few birds shot by wildfowlers – we are concerned about disturbance,” was what Dr Gibson had to say. So why, then, are fowlers expected to have consent for their activities when walkers, planes and other causes of disturbance are ignored on that front?

The next hot potato was coastal access. There is a chance, according to Dr Gibson, that the proposed Marine Bill may well be delayed (it is due in this parliamentary session), giving all those who will be affected by the proposals more time to fight the issue. Dr Gibson said of the plans that they must be “practical and acceptable”, continuing, “we are not talking about putting footpaths through back gardens, parks or vulnerable or sensitive areas.” He also explained that there would be “Local Access Forums”, which will, in theory, give individuals, groups and clubs or associations the chance to have their say. Dr Gibson stressed the importance of stakeholders getting involved — though how much effect that will have is the big question.

One of the questions posed at the end of the presentation was how these new areas of access were going to be controlled. There is, at present, huge abuse of 70 per cent of the areas currently accessible by the public and little or nothing can be or is done about it. Dr Gibson responded that NE’s focus is better access rather than more…
On being asked whether it was true that there would not be the possibility of appeals on the new areas of coastal access, Dr Gibson could not comment.

Bill Parker from Suffolk County Council spoke about the Stour and Orwell management plan, and the research done to back the plans up. It was the Stour and Orwell management group that instigated the research into disturbance on estuaries. While it is clear that the research done was thorough, it is also clear that no matter how many studies are done, the true amount of disturbance by any one activity is extremely difficult to quantify. According to Mr Parker, each shot fired “disturbed” up to 300 birds, while a walker with a dog “disturbed” 30. But does that mean the walker disturbs 30 in total, or is that at one point? And do the birds then return within a short space of time, or do they move on completely? How many birds does a helicopter or low-flying plane disturb?

The CLA’s representative, Jane Burch had an upbeat message to deliver. The Managing Coastal Change (MCC) project has been designed to help land managers on the coast, including wildfowlers. The CLA is keen to provide assistance when it comes to long-term projects, buying land, public funding and enabling a dialogue between all the organisations. There are a number of associations that have already discovered the CLA’s efficiency and determination to assist them — and the CLA is eager to help more.

The last speaker for the main presentations was Simon Breasley, speaking on behalf of Hull & East Riding and Holderness & Humber clubs. Mr Breasley outlined the Humber story — which looks as though it might finally be reaching a positive conclusion. He also spoke on more generic issues — the lack of understanding of wildfowling, the sites and birds; the enormous gap between what should happen (consents etc) and what does happen; the dual approach of the UK and the EU and the inconsistencies between Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland; and the trouble with research.
It seems even the British Trust for Ornithology has issued a health warning when it comes to “scientific evidence” — and, as Mr Breasley pointed out, disturbance is not simply birds moving off after a shot — whereas loss of condition, failure to breed and a serious reduction in numbers over years are.

During the break for lunch, I spoke to a few people about the morning’s presentations. Simon Breasley was praised for his work — he has been a constant source of advice and help for numerous wildfowling clubs with issues of consents, land management, land purchase and funding. The CLA also seems to have made an impression with its efficiency and willing.

I got mixed messages as far as BASC and Natural England were concerned. While many clubs have had no problems with consents and are happy to come under BASC’s umbrella, others are less content with the present situation. One delegate explained his feelings on the matter: “Wildfowlers are solitary people and that is reflected in how they react to authority. I think some of us feel that when we take our problems to BASC, it doesn’t react quickly enough — that there isn’t enough engagement. I believe that the different departments should have more autonomy and be able to act more independently.”

The conference concluded with short presentations from wildfowling associations and a short session of questions. The final words were of the possibility of organising a joint council for the east coast — an idea that was received with enthusiasm. It was clear at the end of the day that conferences such as this one are vital for the future of wildfowling — it gives clubs the chance to exchange ideas, share solutions and, in many cases, offer assistance with land purchase as well as voice their issues. Perhaps other regions would do well to consider following in the east coast’s footsteps and form joint councils…