FURTHER to recent comment, could I clarify the position on grouse shooting on the North Yorkshire Moors and the foot and mouth crisis?

Grouse shooting can only take place in infected areas with a licence issued by DEFRA under very strict bio-security precautions. Shooting may not take place if there has been an outbreak within 10km within the previous 30 or so days.

As part of the application process grouse moor managers have to supply a map showing each drive and provide a list of names and addresses of all the shoot personnel and sign a declaration that the conditions of the licence will be complied with. These include:

- No person shall participate in any way in a shoot if they have handled or otherwise come into contact with any cattle, sheep, goats, pigs or deer within the period of seven days before their proposed participation.

- Not to approach, touch or handle cattle, sheep, goats, pigs or deer whilst participating in the shoot.

- To ensure that disinfectant footpads and baths are provided at all points where persons taking part in the shoot may enter or leave any part of the shooting area.

All participants must:

- Wear clean outer clothing and footwear and cleanse and disinfect the same on arrival and before leaving the shooting area.

- Take any waste, including food with them on leaving the shooting area.

- Use any disinfectant footpads or baths that are provided.

- Ensure all dogs are kept under close control at all times.

- Keep the number of vehicles used to a minimum and ensure it is properly cleansed and disinfected and does not access the moor through farmyards.

In addition to the above we are also disinfecting all dogs that come onto the moor and liaising with the relevant graziers whose sheep are grazing the areas that may be shot.

The advent of grouse shooting season heralds the direct injection of over £12.5m into the English rural upland economy. By comparison, this investment is more than central government's total national park grants this year for the management of the Northumberland, the North York Moors, the Peak District and the Lake District National Parks. Furthermore income from grouse shooting related tourism is crucial to the prosperity of thousands of local businesses, ranging from catering companies to game dealers, hotels and pubs. Over the next month or two on the North York Moors alone, the Moorland Association estimates that £50,000 will be spent each week by shooting parties in hotels, catering and the employment of local casual labour. This is much needed income to many of our struggling rural businesses and people.

Updated: 12:15 Thursday, August 23, 2001