Forestry Operations and Badgers

[Dorset Treeman]

I have an area to fell that has a badger sett amongst it. I am looking at whether I need an additional licence to carry out operations in this area as stated in the FC Guidance 9 document (http://www.forestry.gov.uk/PDF/fcpg9.pdf/$FILE/fcpg9.pdf).

 

I think I will be fine if I don't fell between Dec-Jun as although I plan to winch the timber out of the 20m exclusion zone I wouldn't class it as heavy timber (approximately 10" dbh and upto 8' long). Can anyone offer any further advise on these applications?

 

Also, is there guidance for heavy horses extraction on badger setts? Anyone know if this is permitted within the 20m exclusion zone?

[Ross Turner]

You could always get intouch with your local Badger group, A company I worked for had sites with badgers on & we got round it by having a badger group person monitor the work & make sure we didn't disturb the set.

[Spruce Pirate]

All I know about badgers is they normally delay things at best, halt them altogether at worst. I don't know the answer to any of your questions off hand, sorry.

 

But... aren't they just after doing a badger cull down your way? I don't understand how you can be shooting them one minute and then having to apply for a license to disturb the next!

[RDB logs]

Involve all the relevant bodies from the start, natural England will be able to help

 

Also try this book by FC

 

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/PDF/fcpg9.pdf/$FILE/fcpg9.pdf

[muldonach]

Involve all the relevant bodies from the start, natural England will be able to help

 

Also try this book by FC

 

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/PDF/fcpg9.pdf//fcpg9.pdf

 

Talk to your local FC Office and tell them there is a sett in the equation - ensure that the sett is actually in use first - and take it from there.

[woody paul]

Farmer can get an exemption licence from defra to work over then maybe you can ask if the same apply to forestry work.

[smiles]

Speak to Natural England about a license,they can grant the license for working near - or even above a sett - helps if the sett isn't active during the proposed works.The people that I've spoken to have been very helpful.