Shooting UK

From guns and gundogs to the latest shooting news; the complete online network for the British shooting community.

Concern over DEFRA information security

Concern over DEFRA information security

Are you confident DEFRA can handle the GB Poultry Register details securely?


By Selena Masson, Shooting Times

Friday, 22 February 2008

An alleged security breach of confidential information held by staff members of DEFRA and Natural England has been revealed by a Shooting Times columnist.

A Shooting Times’ writer, View from the West columnist Ergyd, by coincidence, sat next to employees from DEFRA and NE in the first-class carriage on the 16:45 from London’s Paddington station on 6 February.

He clearly overheard and witnessed the pair openly discussing, and reviewing in public, government business, including confidential notes on NE’s operations and details of the recent GB Poultry Register consultation, specifically concerning the use of shooters’ personal data.

The public consultation into “possible changes of use on personal data held on the GB Poultry Register” had closed just one day before the incident, on 5 February.

While this episode is clearly not on the same scale, it comes in the wake of the government’s recent apologies for the loss of military personnel’s bank account details and a disk containing 25m child benefit records in October last year.

Shooting Times confronted both DEFRA and NE to ascertain what action they intended to take as a result of this alleged security breach. Notably, in addition to these questions, Shooting Times also asked how the bodies could justify sending their employees first class at a time when Hilary Benn, minister of state for the environment, is discussing cost savings at DEFRA of £1bn over the next three years.

The magazine’s questioning on this point was ignored by DEFRA’s press office.

DEFRA and NE's response to Ergyd's article appears in 21 February issue of Shooting Times.

What is YOUR opinion? Are you confident DEFRA can handle shooters’ details securely?

Join other ST readers in our forums to discuss your views.



Like this article? Mark this page on a social bookmarking website...

de.licio.us

reddit

digg


What are social bookmarking sites?


CompPrevious
Watch Fred J Taylor receive his MBE

Watch Fred J Taylor receive his MBE

Richard also interviewed Fred after receiving his ...

CompNext
Game breeders urged to look out for 'bulgy-eye' disease

Game breeders urged to look out for 'bulgy-eye' disease

“It has been a very varied year for the disea...


Guns

Merkel KR1 rifle review

Merkel KR1 rifle review: Two rifles for the price of one? We review a ... Read more


More in Guns...


Sporting Answers

Where can we spot an otter?

Where can we spot an otter?

My eight-year-old son's ambition is to see a wild otter, somethin... Read more


More in Sporting Answers...


News

The debate continues: Why are redlegs flying low?

The debate continues: Why are redlegs flying low?

The debate over low-flying redlegs continues as the gamefarming indust... Read more


More in News...



Comments

Shooting Times Magazine

What's in this issue?

Don't miss your chance to enter our FREE prize draw in this week's magazine (on sale 10th March) to win the new Browning B525 Hunter 12-bore worth over £1,400. Get down to your newsagents and buy your copy now!

Subscribe to magazine

Save up to 30% on a subscription to Shooting Times & Country Magazine, subscribe today!


Latest articles

Locals vote no to sea eagles

Locals vote no to sea eagles

The Norfolk Wildlife Trust's AGM attracted more than 100 ... Read more


Dog owners face competency test

Dog owners face competency test

A "competency test" for all dog owners could be impl... Read more


More in Latest articles...


Subscribe to Shooting Times

Shooting Gazette Magazine

Save up to 30% on a subscription to Shooting Times & Country Magazine, subscribe today!