News
This is where we'll announce the most recent
additions to our web site. If you've visited us before and want to know what's
changed, take a look here first.
By working to the guidelines of
our mission we will promote time-honoured mole control along side mole
welfare to ensure the future of this traditional craft in an ever-changing
world.
JULY 2010--
JUNE 2010
Master Molecatchers continue to receive awards ---
Scottish
mole survey report - details will be available soon
May 2010 First Master Molecatchers awards to be made
The National Pest Technicians Association have confirmed that members have
reached the requirement to hold the title Master Molecatcher, details in this
moths Mole matters
April 2010MASTER
MOLECATCHERS ON THE WAY
The first national awards for the Master Molecatcher will be made shortly as
members begin to submit their forms for verification.
March 2010
MASTER MOLECATCHER is now live!!!
TRAP COLLECTOR NEEDS HELP
I am looking for any older Fenn mole traps -
has anyone got any of the old type choker traps in their shed that I could
have?
Looking for the small single catch choker loop trap and the flat Duffus type
If anyone can help me then please get in touch with me at
oldtrapcollector@hotmail.co.uk
Thank you!
Lee
February 2010
WARNING! The recent news that a fine of £1600 was issued to a national
Television company for the un-necessary suffering caused to a rat. High-lights
the need to operate to the Guild Code of Practice to avoid any possible repeat
situation relating to mole management.
AMATEUR MOLECATCHER MEMBERS IN THE LANCASHIRE AREA
The Guild need help from the amateur molecatcher members to assist - please
contact the Guild for more detail
January 2010
Snow
!!!!!
but a great opportunity to get accredited
Snow keeping you away from the soil? why not sit back and work for your
accreditation?
December 2009
Members
making a difference
As members change their status in the Guild their donations are providing to
provide to the Make a wish Foundation UK. As Christmas approaches the total with
gift aid has now topped the £1000 - a very big thank you from all at the Guild
for your kindness and thoughts at this special time
New Members Lists now out
Listing both Professional and Amateur
Molecatchers, pest controllers gardeners and supporters ----------
see side bar
Scottish
survey- results are in - details will be released in the new year
November 2009
The
Guild is to make a wish!
we are supporting Make-A-Wish Foundation
UK..
Make-A-Wish Foundation UK grants magical wishes to children and young people
fighting life-threatening illnesses. The charity was founded in the UK in 1986
and since then we have granted over 5,500 magical wishes to children and young
people aged between three and seventeen years old. There are over 20,000
children in the UK living with a life-threatening illness and we believe that
every one of them deserves to experience the magic of a Make-A-Wish wish.
Anyone can refer a child to this charity. This year, around 1,000 children
will turn to Make-A-Wish to have their special wish granted. Wishes are truly
magical. A small and dedicated team of professional wishgranters works
alongside hundreds of volunteers to turn children’s wishes into reality.
Whether a wish is to be a princess or a train driver for the day, own the
latest TV or computer equipment, meet a favourite celebrity or just enjoy some
special time away from home with their family, a wish come true brings so much
to a child’s life and provides memories that last a lifetime for the whole
family. Make-A-Wish needs to raise over £5 million per year in order to
continue granting these magical wishes. They receive no government
funding or lottery grants, relying on the generous donations of the public -
and that’s why, for our charity, every donation really counts.
Welsh
throw down the gauntlet
The regional rep for Wales has thrown out the challenge for his region to
become the first region to hold a full membership of accredited members.
Regional representatives may wish to accept the challenge and the race will be
followed here on the web site.
The new
accredited molecatchers directory continues to grow.
Members of level 2 and above are taking the opportunity to display their
services FREE of charge on the new directory.
www.countrymoles.co.uk
Will Fountain insurance
offer for Guild members now available-
see members page
October 2009
NEW DEAL ON INSURANCE FOR GUILD MEMBERS
A great new deal is now available for those members of the guild requiring
Liability insurance, a dedicated insurance for mole catching for existing and
those new to the traditional skills of mole control.
BRAND NEW MOLECATCHER DIRECTORY !!
A brand new directory is available for accredited members of level 2 and
above
It is the work and brain child of Andrew Turner -
http://www.essexmoles.co.uk
Andrew has provided the service for members of the public to source
accredited members of the Guild of British Molecatchers in their areas.
The directory is available at
www.countrymoles.co.uk and members may submit details to join subject
to conditions.
There is no charge for this new national directory
Members to receive survey form-
Members will this week receive a survey request form from the Scottish
government in response to their new initiative on mole control.
Scottish Government to survey moles and their
control
The Scottish Government have requested the assistance of the members of the
both the Guild of British Molecatchers and the National Pest Technicians
Association in their initiative to address moles and their control in the United
Kingdom. Members may recall that a similar review was commissioned by DEFRA in
2004. This survey requests the answers from those involved in the management of
moles as opposed to those who supplied previous information. A special
newsletter and survey form will be sent to each member shortly.
The National Pest Technicians Association
fully supports the need for a daily trap inspection of mole traps
The NPTA have stated that they are in full
support of the requirements to check mole traps on a daily basis to reduce
possible un-necessary suffering, The Guild welcomes this assistance and with
their involvement combined with the backing already pledged from other groups
and organisations, will provide for a level of welfare towards moles whilst
under control
Level 3 Accreditation gets underway with
members seeking to gain the esteem to become a Master Molecatcher.....
Scottish Government ask for Guild help!
The Scottish Government have asked for help from the
Guild as they seek information on moles and their control, details in the Mole
Matters
Level three accreditation
now live see accreditation page for details
The long awaited level three is now live
and available to those members currently at level 2
SEPTEMBER 2009
The Accreditation scheme for traditional mole control
run through the Guild of British Molecatchers is to progress further with a
new level 3 available for members.
The NATIONAL PEST TECHNICIANS ASSOCIATION supports the
Guild training
The NPTA has endorsed the training
offered by the Guild of British Molecatchers which includes the on line
accreditation!
SCOTTISH COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE SUPPORTS THE
GUILD
The Scottish Countryside has released the following
statement in support of daily trap inspections
“The Scottish Countryside Alliance (SCA) believes that anyone trapping moles in
Scotland should do so in accordance with the Guild of British Mole Catchers Code
of Practice. The SCA believes that adherence to this Code of Practice is the
best way to ensure that mole control is both efficient and humane.”
SCOTLAND TO LOOK CLOSELY AT MOLE CONTROL more details
soon
Carbon Dioxide - new treatments for moles will
they work?
A new method raising its head in this country from the
land of OZ is Carbon Dioxide. This inert gas is pumped into the ground in a bid
to kill moles? It has been used for the treatments of rabbits and now it seems
the battle is turning to that of the mole.
Like other chemical treatments the mole will strive to
over come such a hindrance through its normal achievement to survive. The cost
of such treatments will of course be an influencing factor also should this
method become a commercial competitor to mole trap use. It will be interesting
to see what the opinion is of groups in relation to other non target species
that maybe caught up in the process of removal?
AUGUST 2009
Procter Bros
release new trap- see members page
Link to number 10 E petition for trap use
Please sign up and be counted
JULY 2009
Guild feature in The Countryman's Weekly
The Guild are featured in a half page spread in this weeks 29th July
issue of The Countryman's Weekly - the national countrysports newspaper.
Trap company
announces trap changes!!!!
details in next molematters
DEFRA reply to letter details in molematters out
soon!
JUNE 2009
The Guild of British
Molecatchers has written to the RT Hon Hilary Benn asking him to clarify what
the Department of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs [DEFRA] consider to be
the current acceptable period of time under their own frequency for the
inspection of traps used for moles, that would not be seen as unreasonable under
the current Animal Welfare Act 2006.
COUNTRYSIDE
ALLIANCE RELEASE OFFICIAL STATEMENT
The Countryside Alliance
supports the Guild of British Molecatchers request for the current government
to consider the need to address the fact that unnecessary suffering can
occasionally occur when using intended kill traps and supports the Guild's
request for the Government to declare that both live catch and spring operated
mole traps should be inspected at least once daily in line with the intended
purpose of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
The Guild are delighted to have the support of the
Countryside Alliance in the effort to provide a better level of welfare for
moles whilst under control in the UK. Such prominent strength as the Alliance
confirms the need to address such issues as welfare in all forms of animal
management.
LEVEL 1 & 2 Accreditation now
available see members page
May 2009
Yr Ddraig
Rhuo.----- welsh regional page
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE!!!!!
WINDOW DECALS FOR MEMBERS
see members page
Petition
has been accepted!!!!!!!!
The petition has been accepted and is now
available on the link below
When a serious petition closes, usually provided there are 500 signatures or
more, officials at Downing Street will ensure you get a response to the issues
you raise. Depending on the nature of the petition, this may be from the Prime
Minister, or he may ask one of his Ministers or officials to respond.
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Mole-Control/
link to sign this petition now! --you may only sign once
so tell your friends and family- it only takes a couple of minutes and once
signed your name only is displayed as a show of support. Get your name on the
list -click the link above
E
petition sent to Prime Minister-
A petition request has been sent to Number 10
requesting the Prime Minister considers the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and its
relation to mole trap checks. If this petition is accepted further information
will be posted here!
April 2009
Bags & Smocks - see members page
Mole
Traps UK have release this statement relating to mole trap use
Mole Traps UK recommends that all set
mole traps should be checked on a daily basis to reduce any possible suffering
to the mole. This has always been stated on our trap setting instructions & is
detailed on our website.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Trapman.co.uk
have released a statement in support of the Guild of British molecatchers push
for daily trap inspections for mole trap use.
Trapman.co.uk recommends that
" traps should be checked at
least once per day"
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
COLOURED MOLES FOR
WALES
see welsh regional page
The RT Hon Theresa May MP Shadow secretary of State for
Work and Pensions who has written to DEFRA ministers has asked again for
their consideration to daily trap inspections for mole traps asking the minister
to take into account the fact that the law is an expensive and convoluted forum
to argue individual cases of animal cruelty.
This in the response to the reply of "it would be down
to the courts to decide what measures could or should have been taken " should a
case of possible unnecessary suffering relating to mole control
________________________________________________________________________________________________
National
Trap supplier releases statement-
Procter Bros a leading trap supplier in the
United Kingdom since 1740 , which supplies a range of pest control products to
both the wholesale and retail markets has released a statement which reads-
“Procter
Pest-Stop recommends that to reduce possible suffering to moles, traps which
kill should be checked at least once a day.”
March 2009
Method statements available to members see members page
SCOTLAND LEADS THE WAY
Scottish law States mole traps should be checked every 24 hours!! see
Scottish regional page for details
THE
MOLEMATTERS newsletter has been published- if you have not received yours
please e mail to the NEW address
molematters@yahoo.co.uk
________Some Regional Pages are now
live!!!!!!!!!!!____ find them on the
members page
HELP I HAVE A MOLE!
The index for the listings has changed into regional areas
to comply with the regional expansion of the Guild
Accreditation grows,
Members signing up to Guild accreditation grows , The
Guild's decision to request a simple test to acknowledge members knowledge of
mole catching has proved popular. Many groups supply the accreditation to their
organization included in a membership fee? the Guild have asked only that members undertake a
FREE test to provide evidence to a basic knowledge for moles and their control.
Having acquired the required level they are credited with an acknowledgement to
that ability. This ensures that members have a basic understanding to provide
the services to the public.
Many are now seeking to further this knowledge to
maintain a standard and provide a bench mark in mole control- this test is
purely on a voluntary basis.
more details on the members page --
You do not have to buy your accreditation you can
earn it!
February 2009
Another Conservative MP has agreed to
write to the minister for farming and the Environment to question the checking
of mole traps
IMPORTANT NOTICE---- The Mole Matters is now
to be via electronic mail, this will speed up the service to members. It will be
sent to members via the email address they have submitted to the Guild. If you
have not submitted an e mail address please do now!!
The
Guild have received correspondence from a Conservative MP informing us of their
support for the work of the Guild in its push for the welfare of moles and will
receive their assistance in the form of further questions to HM Government
- more details later!
Insurance-
having a problem?
Contact the Guild via the Mole Matters for new
information!!!!
First
Member to receive Guild accreditation
MORE DETAILS ON ACCREDITATION ON THE MEMBERS
PAGE
Ann from Lancashire has completed the
required questionnaire to gain recognition from the Guild to a standard of
knowledge on basic mole control, Ann is the first member to take up the
on- line challenge and hopefully will encourage others to also.
Members
may now seek recognition in their mole catching knowledge-
see members page!
GUILD
TO GO REGIONAL--
Response from the membership has indicated
that the Guild will divide into regions. This will provide a better
communication and structure within the Guild. A regional page will appear
soon!!!!!!!! Interest in regional positions have been received from members for
the South- South West- Scotland, if you wish to consider a position contact the
Guild as explained in the latest newsletter.
The Lord of the Moles- Lord Donoughue has submitted
a written question to Parliament on behalf of the Guild of British Molecatchers.
more details on the newsletter.
The
Guild Logo is now available on garments, Fleeces, sweat shirts etc, see members
page!!!!!!!! for a sample.
COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE SUPPORTS THE GUILD
The Countryside Alliance has pledged support
to the work of the Guild of British Molecatchers in its push for better welfare
for moles whilst under control.
This support is welcomed by the Guild and all its
members, such a renowned organization will enable the Guild to move forward in
its push for issues relating to the welfare of moles whilst under control
methods.
January 2009
Guild to consider regional
expansion details in the next newsletter
The Guild of British Molecatchers continues to grow with
support from other groups and an increase in membership. This growth will enable
further steps forward in ensuring better standards for mole control and
welfare for moles in the future.
The Guild would also like to thank the support it has received from members
of the public
MOLECATCHERS Near You!
In need of a molecatcher? due to the interest shown - people requiring the
services of a molecatcher may find help via the link
Help I have a mole!
Lord Donoughue patron to the Guild
of British Molecatchers to question the House on issues of moles!
Also a response from DEFRA relating to the Guilds complaint relating to
burrow destruction devices has been received informing us that they are still
investigating the complaint.
Guild gets its first overseas
supporter,
Thomas Schmidt Professional Molecatcher from Ohio USA has pledged his
support for the work of the Guild here in the United Kingdom, Thomas a
Professional Molecatcher operates under the name Moleman has been a professional
Molecatcher since 1986.
Members
are reminded that they may advertise their mole services FREE
OF CHARGE on the Problem with Moles page and also may receive the Guild Logo
also FREE OF CHARGE for letterheads - adverts- invoices etc.
More information on the members page!!!
The membership of the Guild of British Molecatchers is
increasing and has provided the support needed to present questions relating to
mole welfare whilst under control.. We express a huge thank you for your
continued support both from us and of course -- The Moles!
ANOTHER
MOLECATCHER FROM AROUND THE WORLD HAS PLEDGED SUPPORT TO THE WORK OF BRITISH
MOLECATCHERS- MICHAEL DAVENPORT -ASHVILLE USA,
GUILD NOW INCLUDES A LIST OF WORLD MOLECATCHERS
JUNE 2008
The Guild of British Molecatchers was launched to establish and to promote a
standard for mole control whilst maintaining a level of animal welfare towards
the European Mole in the United Kingdom. It must be understood that there are
existing
requirements to control certain species of animals and that control must often be
carried out in a humane and efficient manner. Currently there are limited
requirements and guidance relating to mole control, often resulting in
inhumane practices or a lack of duty of care. Members of the guild pledge to
provide a level of service above any current requirements and anyone employing a
Guild member will be assured of a
quality of assistance in the control of their mole/s operating under guidelines
aimed at reducing suffering.
Breaking the myths- can be found in
the information pages,
Many
people say they have the perfect answer to being rid of a mole, look at it from
a moles point of view - we do!
Union of country sports workers
The
union of country sports workers - a place for traditional molecatchers- find out
why- HERE
