Ulster Farmers’ Union Deputy President Ian Marshall is encouraging farmers in Northern Ireland to take advantage of a Pest Control Scheme run by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC NI) and the UFU.
Ian Marshall said; “The aim of this scheme is to help put farmers in touch with people who shoot so they can help reduce the damage being caused by pests. The pest control service which has been in operation since August 2011 is provided free of charge and has proved popular with both BASC and UFU members.”
Director of BASC NI Tommy Mayne said; “Pests can be a significant and costly problem for farmers and shooting is the most effective way of reducing the damage they cause. The BASC/UFU Pest Control Scheme provides a win-win situation for both shooters and farmers by giving BASC members access to new shooting opportunities and providing farmers with much needed help with pests that are damaging crops, taking livestock and spreading disease.
Farmers will also have peace of mind from knowing that BASC members are covered by BASC’s robust insurance policy. The scheme is only open to BASC and UFU members and we would encourage all UFU members to spread the word about the free service that BASC members are providing to the farming community.”
Mervyn Dougan a UFU member has made use of the pest control scheme run by BASC, he added; “The pest control scheme provided by both the UFU and BASC is excellent. I was losing a significant number of chickens to foxes and I contacted BASC NI who put me in touch with a BASC member who lives nearby. Thanks to BASC the problem is now under control. The service was first-class and it’s free to use. I would thoroughly recommend this scheme to any UFU farmer who is having difficulty with pests on their land.”
If you are a shooter but not a BASC member, phone 028 9260 5050, visit the BASC website www.basc.org.uk or email nire@basc.org.uk to join. Farmers who are not UFU members but want to take advantage of the scheme can join the UFU by phoning 028 9037 0222. BASC NI will put UFU members in touch with their closest registered BASC members.
