Badger Talk - Update
16th January 2013
On an extremely cold January evening, the Allotment Association welcomed Frank Last from the Essex Badger Protection Group to provide some insight in relation to the sett located on the Allotment.
The sett was well known in its original location to Frank, and whilst the sett has moved slightly, due to property owners securing a licence to close the original sett, all that has happened is that the issue has moved slightly further along the Allotment. Frank indicated that despite the fact that Badgers are protected under UK Law, it was possible to get a licence to close a sett, subject to various restrictions, however, all this would technically do is move the problem a little further along our own site, and there are also very specific measures that need to be taken within that process.
Frank indicated that Badgers will forage for food for up to 2 - 3 miles although in essence would not travel far from a known or readily available food source. Additionally, even if the Badgers by legal means could be re housed, the chances were that the vacated area would soon be re populated by another group that identified that there was no competition in that specific territory.
Badgers are very strong animials, that can easily break through or dig under weak or poorly constructed barriers. Chicken wire as a form of barrier is inadequate, and strong fencing with heavy wire mesh extended below ground is recommended. Whilst a host of questions were put to Frank, there is very little that can be done outside of fencing of specific crops, or ultimately some form of electric fencing which would then require the support of the council to facilitate which is unlikely to be forthcoming.
A leaflet outlining some of the issues and elements of the talk will be published as a link in this message shortly.
These type of meetings cannot be easy to deal with. Frustrated allotment owners expressing views or discussing an issue with an activity that seeks to protect the cause of that frustration. The Allotment Association would like to express our gratitude to Frank for giving up some of his valuable time, his objectivity in providing an insight into the badgers lifestyle and activity, and expressing some views relative to our position, the law and potential deterrant. Thanks also to those that attended the talk relative to the issue, and for the members that help prepare the hut and make ready for the evening.
The sett was well known in its original location to Frank, and whilst the sett has moved slightly, due to property owners securing a licence to close the original sett, all that has happened is that the issue has moved slightly further along the Allotment. Frank indicated that despite the fact that Badgers are protected under UK Law, it was possible to get a licence to close a sett, subject to various restrictions, however, all this would technically do is move the problem a little further along our own site, and there are also very specific measures that need to be taken within that process.
Frank indicated that Badgers will forage for food for up to 2 - 3 miles although in essence would not travel far from a known or readily available food source. Additionally, even if the Badgers by legal means could be re housed, the chances were that the vacated area would soon be re populated by another group that identified that there was no competition in that specific territory.
Badgers are very strong animials, that can easily break through or dig under weak or poorly constructed barriers. Chicken wire as a form of barrier is inadequate, and strong fencing with heavy wire mesh extended below ground is recommended. Whilst a host of questions were put to Frank, there is very little that can be done outside of fencing of specific crops, or ultimately some form of electric fencing which would then require the support of the council to facilitate which is unlikely to be forthcoming.
A leaflet outlining some of the issues and elements of the talk will be published as a link in this message shortly.
These type of meetings cannot be easy to deal with. Frustrated allotment owners expressing views or discussing an issue with an activity that seeks to protect the cause of that frustration. The Allotment Association would like to express our gratitude to Frank for giving up some of his valuable time, his objectivity in providing an insight into the badgers lifestyle and activity, and expressing some views relative to our position, the law and potential deterrant. Thanks also to those that attended the talk relative to the issue, and for the members that help prepare the hut and make ready for the evening.