PRECAUTIONS AGAINST LYME DISEASE

Visitors to the Deer Alliance HCAP Blog are invited to consider the contents of advisory information on LYME DISEASE set out in the letter below, and are urged to take the information on board when deerstalking, hillwalking or undertaking any activity likely to lead to exposure to Lyme Disease.


Dear Sir/Madam

Re. Protecting against Lyme Disease when taking part in outdoor pursuits

I am writing to you on behalf to the South East Regional Zoonoses Committee. We are a multidisciplinary group of Human and Animal Health Professionals from the South East whose remit includes informing the public about diseases that can be passed between animals and humans.

Those affiliated with Deer Alliance Ireland are involved in outdoor pursuits and may be at risk of contracting Lyme disease because these activities.

Lyme disease, which is spread by tick bites, can, in a minority of cases, cause severe debilitating heart and nervous system disease. Recently the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre issued a warning to people who engage in out-door pursuits in the summer months -ramblers, campers, mountain-bikers and others who work or walk in forested or grassy areas -to be vigilant against tick bites. Ticks are tiny insect-like creatures that feed on the blood of mammals and birds and will also feed on humans. Ticks are more active and numerous in the summer months and protecting against tick bites protects against Lyme disease.

Tick bites can be prevented by:
• Wearing long trousers, long-sleeved shirt and shoes
• Using insect repellent
• Checking skin, hair and warm skin-folds (especially the neck and scalp of children) for ticks after a day out
• Removing any ticks and consulting with a GP if symptoms develop
• Using tick collars for pets (they can get Lyme disease) and inspecting them for (and removing) any ticks.

Only a minority of ticks carry infection. If a tick is removed within a few hours, the risk of infection is low. The entire tick, including any mouthparts which might break off, should be removed with a tweezers by gripping it close to the skin. The skin where the tick was found should be then washed with soap and water and the area checked over the next few weeks for swelling or redness. Anyone who develops symptoms should contact their GP and explain that they had been bitten by a tick.

Further important information on protecting against Lyme disease, an information leaflet and a poster are available at http://www.hpsc.ie/hpsc/A-Z/Vectorborne/LymeDisease/

We would urge you to encourage those affiliated with Deer Alliance Ireland to read this information and we suggest that a copy of the HPSC leaflet be included with your education material.

Yours sincerely,


Dr. Sarah Doyle, MB MRCPI MPH MFPHMI, MCRN 19055
Consultant in Public Health Medicine,
Secretary to the South East Regional Zoonoses Committee,
Public Health Department,
HSE Offices,
Dublin Road,
Kilkenny


24 January 2012

HCAP SCHEDULE 2012

The draft schedule of dates and venues for the Deer Alliance Hunter Competence Assessment Programme (HCAP) will be posted here on or about 1 January 2012, when the revised Training Syllabus will also be announced.

Meanwhile the following Candidates are deemed to be HCAP-Certified following MCQ held in Laragh, Co. Wicklow on 15 November 2011 and Range Test at Midland Rifle Range on 17 November 2011 (date of certification, 17 November 2011).

Gibbon, Peter, 2011/0131 (UK)
Hillback, Shane, 2011/0135 (UK)
Kenny, Eoin, 2011/0136
McPeake, Joe, 2011/0107
Synnott, Joe, 2011/0128 (UK)
Turner, Andrew, 2011/0134 (UK)
Walker, Peter, 2011/0132 (UK)
Wiggin, Andy, 2011/0133 (UK)


(Above limited tests were organised to facilitate overseas candidates. The normal HCAP schedule runs from January to September. A schedule for 2012 will be posted here when finalised).

DEER MANAGEMENT POLICY CONSULTATION

The following is the text of submissions made on behalf of Deer Alliance HCAP to the Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (see previous posting, 17 October 2011, in relation to the Inter-Agency Deer Policy Review Group Draft Document).

DEER ALLIANCE
HUNTER COMPETENCE ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME
SUBMISSIONS ON DEER MANAGEMENT POLICY VISION

1: BACKGROUND TO DEER ALLIANCE HCAP

1.1: Deer Alliance HCAP was formed in 2001 arising from a requirement on the part of Coillte Teoranta for a process of certification of all persons hunting wild deer on Coillte’s forest property portfolio throughout Ireland. Discussions in that year saw the identification of relevant stakeholders, the coming together of a range of interests and the development of a programme for the assessment and certification of hunter competence designed to meet Coillte’s immediate needs, based on best-practice models studied across Europe, and outside Europe.

1.2: The Hunter Competence Assessment Programme (HCAP) was launched in April 2005 following four years of careful development which included the production of a Stalker Training Manual.

1.3: Since HCAP’s introduction in 2005, some 1200 licensed deer hunters have undertaken the Programme on a voluntary basis and at the time of writing approximately 1000 candidates have been HCAP-Certified.

1.4: At the time of writing, a revised Training Syllabus is under consideration by the Deer Alliance Assessment Committee, with a view to introduction early in 2012. The revised Training Syllabus will comprise a set number of hours training and preparation, to include a new Food Safety Module under development in conjunction with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.

2: DEER ALLIANCE POLICY ON ASSESSMENT, CERTIFICATION AND THE ISSUE OF DEER HUNTING LICENCES.

2.1: It is the policy of Deer Alliance HCAP that HCAP certification (or equivalent) should be a prerequisite for all holders of or applicants for any licence to hunt wild deer in Ireland.

2.2: Deer Alliance HCAP has actively promoted this policy to the National Parks & Wildlife Service and to successive Ministers since inception in 2005 and is committed to achieving this objective within the lifetime of the current Government. Deer Alliance HCAP is optimistic that this objective will finally be achieved within this stated time frame.

3: DEER ALLIANCE HCAP PARTICIPATION IN FORMULATION OF DEER MANAGEMENT POLICY

3.1: It follows from Point 2.1 and 2.2 above that as and when a requirement for mandatory certification is adopted by NPWS, the framework within which a majority of deer hunters operate will change radically. At the time of writing, approximately one in four licensed deer hunters are HCAP-Certified, and have undergone some level of training and a measurable level of assessment as to competency. A further substantial number of licensed hunters, totalling 3000 or more, will need to become HCAP-Certified over a lead-in period expected to take three to five years e.g. all new licence applicants to be certified before grant of licence, and all existing licence holders to become HCAP-Certified with a three to five year period (to be decided).

3.2: Clearly, the adoption of mandatory assessment and certification has profound implications for practical management of wild deer. It is the licensed deer hunter who will in the final analysis be responsible for practical implementation of policy, which to be successful in terms of implementation must include the humane and efficient culling of deer in order to achieve policy objectives as identified in the Draft Deer Management Policy Vision document.

3.3: Deer Alliance HCAP therefore formally proposes that mandatory assessment and certification based on the HCAP model be included as an essential part of any final policy for the management of wild deer.

3.4: Deer Alliance HCAP confirms its wish and intention to remain fully involved in and committed to the development of a national policy on the management of wild deer, including but not limited to the adoption and inclusion of mandatory assessment and certification as an essential element in wild deer management.



Submitted on behalf of Deer Alliance HCAP, 23 November 2011.

NEW TRAINING SYLLABUS FOR HCAP

A revised training syllabus for the Hunter Competence Assessment Programme (HCAP) is in preparation and will be introduced early in 2012.

The new syllabus allows for a standardisation of training and preparation for assessment under HCAP, and will include a designated number of hours’ attendance at training lectures and workshops. A new Food Safety Module is being added in addition to the existing MCQ and Range Test modules. Training will continue to be provided by the different participating deer organisations, based on the new Deer Alliance syllabus and schedule for delivery of preparatory lectures and workshops. In addition, Deer Alliance HCAP itself will offer training in different locations. Candidates who succeed in the HCAP MCQ will then proceed to the Food Safety Module, which will be based on a half-day seminar at an approved facility, with hands-on veterinarian-supervised carcase inspection and handling including physiological familiarisation, disease recognition and butchery. Candidates having passed the MCQ and participated in the Food Safety Module will then proceed to undertake the Range Test. It is anticipated that following adoption of the new procedures, HCAP-Certified Candidates will be recognised as Trained Persons (“Trained Hunters”) within the meaning of food hygiene safety regulations.

The revised training syllabus will be submitted for approval by all participating Deer Alliance HCAP bodies and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland in December, for implementation early in 2012. Any necessary increase in the HCAP Fee, to take account of new and additional requirements associated with the new Food Safety Module, and the possibility of an inclusive fee, to cover Training on the one hand, and Assessment on the other, will be considered at the same time. It is likely however that different fee structures will apply.

DATA PROTECTION ACTS 1988 & 2003

All intending HCAP Candidates are advised that all communication regarding eligibility for participation in the Deer Alliance Hunter Competence Assessment Programme, announcement of results of HCAP MCQs and confirmation of Certification following completion of the Programme, is through the Deer Alliance website and the associated blog (www.deeralliance.blogspot.com).

The names of all candidates for upcoming MCQs are published on the blog. The numbers only (no names) of candidates, giving results of each successive MCQ, are published on the blog, giving pass/fail mark. The names and numbers of all candidates eligible for successive Range Tests are published on the blog prior to scheduled Range Tests. The names and numbers of successful candidates (“HCAP-certified candidates”) are published on the blog following each Range Test.

On initial participation in the Programme i.e. on sitting the HCAP MCQ, each candidate is required to sign an Attendance Form, which contains the following words:

“The results of this HCAP MCQ will be posted on the Deer Alliance blog (www.deeralliance.blogspot.com) approximately ten days after date of MCQ. Only Candidates’ individual HCAP number is posted, together with pass/fail mark. All successful Candidates’ names and numbers are posted on the blog following completion of the overall Programme i.e. after Range Test. By signing this Attendance Sheet, all Candidates confirm their authority to Deer Alliance HCAP to publish this information without breach of the Data Protection Acts 1988 & 2003”.

Any candidate having a difficulty with this authority and indemnity in respect of the Data Protection Acts 1988 & 2003 should notify their difficulty, in writing, to Deer Alliance HCAP in advance of participation in any HCAP MCQ.

THE HCAP APPLICATON FORM

The current HCAP Application Form requires the provision of certain information from intending candidates. This includes information regarding membership of participating bodies e.g. the relevant deer organisations, whether candidates are current Coillte Licensees or Nominated Stalkers, whether they carry shooting insurance and with which insurance provider, whether they currently possess a firearms certificate and if so, for a rifle of what calibre.

This information is used to prioritise candidates where an assessment module is over-subscribed and to assist in the general administration and further development of HCAP. The information is sought on a voluntary basis and is treated as confidential at all times. Its circulation is restricted to the secretarial function within Deer Alliance and is not published to any third parties. Individual data is not retained by Deer Alliance HCAP and is not subsequently available to any party.

Draft Policy Vision for Deer Management in Ireland

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, in conjunction with the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, has developed a Draft Policy Vision for Deer Management in Ireland. The Department now invites written submissions from interested parties and organisations in relation to this document, and deer management policy related issues in general.

In addition to written submissions, the Department also invites written expressions of interest from organisations and groups interested in participating in a future Policy Development Partnership that will assist with the further development of an agreed Deer Management Strategy for Ireland, in conjunction with the Departments concerned.

The following is a link to the Draft Policy Vision document:
http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/forestry/forestservicegeneralinformation/DeerManagementPolicyVisionSeptember2011.pdf


Written submissions and expressions of interest should be sent by email to dmpolicyvision@agriculture.gov.ie

or by post to:

Submission on Deer Management Policy Vision,
Forest Service,
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine,
Johnstown Castle Estate,
Wexford.

Submissions received will be made publicly available on the DAFF website.

The Closing date for receipt of submissions is Monday, November 28, 2011.

FOOD CHAIN INFORMATION - REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE REGULATION

Food Chain Information Requirements under Regulation (EC) No. 853/2004 of the Eurpoean Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 (laying down specific food hygiene rules for food of animal origin).

There appears to be a degree of misinformation and confusion amongst hunters and others as to what is required under the above Regulation (generally described as the "EU Food Hygiene Regulations"). The following extracts from the Regulation set out exactly what is required in relation to wild game meat (including large and small wild game).

It is important to note that Chapter 1, Article 1 (3) of the Regulation, dealing with the scope of the Regulation, provides as follows:

(3) This Regulation shall not apply in relation to:

(a) primary production for private domestic use;

(b) the domestic preparation, handling or storage of food for private
domestic consumption;

(c) the direct supply, by the producer, of small quantities of primary
products to the final consumer or to local retail establishments
directly supplying the final consumer;

(d) the direct supply, by the producer, of small quantities of meat
from poultry and lagomorphs slaughtered on the farm to the
final consumer or to local retail establishments directly supplying
such meat to the final consumer as fresh meat;

(e) hunters who supply small quantities of wild game or wild
game meat directly to the final consumer or to local retail
establishments directly supplying the final consumer (emphasis added).

(Extract)

SECTION IV: WILD GAME MEAT

CHAPTER I: TRAINING OF HUNTERS IN HEALTH AND HYGIENE

1. Persons who hunt wild game with a view to placing it on the market for human consumption must have sufficient knowledge of the pathology of wild game, and of the production and handling of wild game and wild game meat after hunting, to undertake an initial examination of wild game on the spot.

2. It is however enough if at least one person of a hunting team has the the knowledge referred to in point 1. References in this Section to a ‘trained person’ are references to that person.

3. The trained person could also be the gamekeeper or the game manager if he or she is part of the hunting team or located in the immediate vicinity of where hunting is taking place. In the latter case, the hunter must present the wild game to the gamekeeper or game manager and inform them of any abnormal behaviour observed before killing.

4. Training must be provided to the satisfaction of the competent authority to enable hunters to become trained persons. It should cover at least the following subjects:

(a) the normal anatomy, physiology and behaviour of wild game;

(b) abnormal behaviour and pathological changes in wild game due to diseases, environmental contamination or other factors which may affect human health after consumption;

(c) the hygiene rules and proper techniques for the handling, transportation, evisceration, etc. of wild game animals after killing; and

(d) legislation and administrative provisions on the animal and public health and hygiene conditions governing the placing on the market of wild game.

5. The competent authority should encourage hunters’ organisations to provide such training.

(Extract)

CHAPTER II: HANDLING OF LARGE WILD GAME

1. After killing, large wild game must have their stomachs and intestines removed as soon as possible and, if necessary, be bled.

2. 2. The trained person must carry out an examination of the body, and of any viscera removed, to identify any characteristics that may indicate that the meat presents a health risk. The examination must take place as soon as possible after killing.

3. Meat of large wild game may be placed on the market only if the body is transported to a game-handling establishment as soon as possible after the examination referred to in point 2. The viscera must accompany the body as specified in point 4. The viscera must be identifiable as belonging to a given animal.

4.

(a) If no abnormal characteristics are found during the examination referred to in point 2, no abnormal behaviour was observed before killing, and there is no suspicion of environmental contamination, the trained person must attach to the animal body a numbered declaration stating this. This declaration must also indicate the date, time and place of killing. In this case, the head and the viscera need not accompany the body, except in the case of species susceptible to Trichinosis (porcine animals, solipeds and others), whose head (except for tusks) and diaphragm must accompany the body. However, hunters must comply with any additional requirements imposedin the Member State where hunting takes place, in particular to permit the monitoring of certain residues and substances in accordance with Directive 96/23/EC;

(b) In other circumstances, the head (except for tusks, antlers and horns) and all the viscera except for the stomach and intestines must accompany the body. The trained person who carried out the examination must inform the competent authority of the abnormal characteristics, abnormal behaviour or suspicion of environmental contamination that prevented him or her from making a declaration in accordance with (a);

(c) If no trained person is available to carry out the examination referred to in point 2 in a particular case, the head (except for tusks, antlers and horns) and all the viscera except for the stomach and the intestines must accompany the body.

5. Chilling must begin within a reasonable period of time after killing and achieve a temperature throughout the meat of not more than 7 °C. Where climatic conditions so permit, active chilling is not necessary.

6. During transport to the game-handling establishment, heaping must be avoided.

7. Large wild game delivered to a game-handling establishment must be presented to the competent authority for inspection.

8. In addition, unskinned large wild game may be skinned and placed on the market only if:

(a) before skinning, it is stored and handled separately from other food and not frozen; and

(b) after skinning, it undergoes a final inspection in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 854/2004.

9. The rules laid down in Section I, Chapter V, apply to the cutting and boning of large wild game.