HB meeting 1st May 2025
Summarised minutes from meeting held on Zoom on 1st May 2025.
Archived and detailed minutes are available through your affiliated club representative.
This document provides a summarised record of the Hawk Board meeting held on 1st May 2025, covering topics from organisational updates, financial matters, legislative reforms, to falconry-related cultural heritage initiatives. It also includes various reports from affiliated organizations and outlines ongoing challenges and future plans for falconry and raptor welfare.
Meeting Overview and Attendance
The meeting was chaired by Mark Upton and attended by numerous board members and co-coordinators, with apologies noted from some members.
Present: Rachelle Upton (RU); Mark Upton (MU); Nick Havermann-Mart (NHM); Sara Skalman (SS); Charlotte Souto; (CS); Gordon Mellor (GM); Gary Biddiss (GB); Michael Taylor (MT); Sharon Creffield (SCR); Nick Fox (NF); Mark Fielder (MF); Sarah Calderwood (SCA); Martyn Standley (MS); Helen Fox (HF); Charlie Heap (CH); Jim Collins (JC); James Legge (JL)
Apologies: Dean White; Don Ryan; Cameron Balfour
The minutes from the previous meeting were reviewed with updates on assigned tasks such as guidance document drafting and fundraising initiatives. A fundraising committee was formed, and a financial review committee was proposed to address expenses and fundraising strategies.
Chair’s Report and Remembrances
Mark Upton highlighted the loss of two key members, Bob Dalton and Angie Chick, acknowledging their contributions and expressing the impact of their absence on the organization. He reflected on the progress made in fostering communication with government bodies and emphasized the importance of respectful interactions during meetings, referencing a the previous. Challenges with rehousing rescued birds lacking proper documentation were discussed, highlighting the difficulties in rehoming and registration, especially CITES.
Rescued Birds and Rehabilitation Challenges
The board discussed the complexities of managing rescued hawks from breeding projects without correct paperwork, which affects their rehoming potential. Ideas such as restarting club breeding schemes were proposed to alleviate bird surpluses. The importance of rehabilitation and public perception was emphasized, advocating for practical solutions over euthanasia for birds that cannot be rehomed.
Financial Status and Fundraising Efforts
The Treasurer reported that the Hawk Board’s bank accounts were stable, with subscription letters sent to members. Discussions included exploring higher-interest savings accounts, forming a finance and fundraising committee, and debating membership fee structures. While some advocated increasing fees, concerns about member retention led to suggestions for alternative fundraising methods such as events and donations. The inclusion of personal memberships for non-club members was also proposed to broaden participation.
Defining Roles for New Groups and Membership Structure
The board addressed the applications from new falconry-related groups, including Raptor Breeders UK and the British Falcon Racing Association. Emphasis was placed on clearly defining their roles, objectives, and responsibilities to avoid ambiguity. Membership fees were discussed, with consideration for tiered subscriptions based on commercial status. The groups were unanimously accepted as members, and further engagement with a pest control group was planned. New co-opted members were appointed for roles in bird registration and social media.
UNESCO Application and Cultural Heritage Initiatives
A meeting with the UK UNESCO team was reported, indicating progress toward submitting falconry for inscription as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Mankind. The application process is expected to open in summer with a four-month submission window. Plans include creating an archive documenting falconry heritage across the UK’s devolved governments to strengthen the application and cultural representation.
Legislative Reforms and CITES Compliance
The board discussed ongoing legislative reforms affecting breeders, especially concerning CITES registration for breeders. Challenges include stringent requirements to demonstrate breeding capabilities of all pure species involved in hybrids, which threatens specialized breeders. The UK’s registration timeline differs from the EU’s, adding pressure for alignment. Issues regarding semen sharing regulations and the need for clearer communication from authorities were raised. Recommendations included collaboration with European breeders and small business associations for support.
Outreach and Public Engagement
Opportunities to raise awareness and funds were discussed, including stands at the Falconers Fair at Duncombe Park and the Vowley Falcon Racing event. Presentations aimed at promoting the Hawk Board’s work, including efforts to engage the Female Falconers Club, were reviewed. The need for strategic outreach across regions and to non-club members was emphasized to increase awareness and membership.
Avian Influenza Updates
Updates on avian influenza (AI) indicated a reduction in meetings and cautious optimism about a quieter period, though concerns remained about potential resurgence. Information is disseminated via social media and the Hawk Board website to keep members informed.
Reports from Affiliated Organizations
SUN Report
The SUN report highlighted the anticipated 'Brexit Reset' impacting CITES policy and non-native species legislation. Budget cuts to government agencies may delay legislative changes. The global push for Positive Lists continues with mixed success, and upcoming CITES proposals include potential down listing of the peregrine.
Scottish Update
The Scottish government’s Natural Environment Bill offers a chance to amend legislation affecting falconry, particularly mountain hare regulations. Lobbying efforts aim to secure exemptions for falconry practices.
IAF Update
The International Association for Falconry (IAF) has undergone reorganization, established working groups, and improved communications. Recent efforts include supporting falconry in Slovenia against Positive List legislation and preparing for the IUCN World Congress.
Countryside Alliance Update
The Countryside Alliance reported engagement with parliamentary committees, monitoring legislation affecting rural communities, and campaigning on issues such as game bird release, animal welfare, and private prosecutions. Upcoming events and consultations were noted, along with concerns about animal confinement regulations.
Guidance and Future Plans
Updates on guidance documents, including avian influenza protocols and aviary designs, were shared. Existing Hawk Board guidance requires revision and improvement. Proposals for further presentations to clubs and strategies to enhance communication and membership engagement were discussed.
AOB: Ethical and Legal Issues
Discussions included the ethical and practical complexities of banning the culling of male layer chicks, emphasizing the impact on raptor care and economic considerations. The board also addressed inquiries about peregrine falcon thefts and ongoing wildlife crime prosecutions, planning to invite relevant officers for updates.
This comprehensive summary reflects the detailed discussions and reports presented during the Hawk Board meeting, highlighting the organization's multifaceted efforts in falconry promotion, legislative advocacy, financial sustainability, and wildlife welfare.