A limited number of places remain on the rodenticide training courses being run by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust.
From 1st July 2016 anyone without an appropriate certificate will be restricted to using amateur-pack rodenticides only, or will have to rely on traps, shooting and terriers, unless they have an alternative qualification for using Aluminium Phosphide gas.
There are still places on courses in South Dalton, Yorkshire on Thursday 25th February, Fordingbridge, Hampshire on Friday 26th February and Loddington, Leicestershire on 14th March.
The Rat Control for Gamekeepers course is classroom based and includes a one-hour long multiple-choice BASIS administered exam that can be taken on-line during a two week period after the course.
The new rodenticide course, jointly owned by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), Countryside Alliance (CA), Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO), Scottish Gamekeepers’ Association (SGA) and CRRU started in August 2015, giving gamekeepers 11 months in which to attend before the new restrictions come in. The course is approved on behalf of the HSE and meets their requirements for best-practice ‘Stewardship’ to reduce primary and secondary rodenticide poisoning of non-target wildlife.
Courses are run by BASC, GWCT, NGO and SGA and members of any one of these organisations, and the CA, are entitled to a special members’ cost price of £150 plus VAT, regardless of which organisation is delivering the actual course they attend. Non-members will be charged £200 plus VAT wherever they attend. Fees cover the training itself, course literature, an exam and, if successful, the issue of a certificate for the purchase and use of professional rodenticides.
For more information and for those wishing to attend one of the courses contact:
Lynda Ferguson
Email: lferguson@gwct.org.uk
Telephone: 01425 651013
Notes to editors
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust – providing research-led conservation for a thriving countryside. The GWCT is an independent wildlife conservation charity which has carried out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife since the 1930s. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ 22 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies. The Trust is also responsible for a number of Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse.
For information, contact:
Eleanor Williams
Telephone: 07592 025476
Email: press@gwct.org.uk