Post by sinrud on Mar 23, 2006 8:57:29 GMT -6
Some Trappers are Pro BMP and some Trappers are Anti BMP. This is a personal choice. HOWEVER - we can all agree improper language and recommendations are wrong period. We have spent two years in contact educating the BMP on Improper language. Their has been no change and, in fact, the problems have escalated. Because of this we have sent the following letter to the IAFWA/BMP. It is our hope that others will share their concerns with them as well.
Gordon Batcheller, BMP Chair
NY State DEC
625 Broadway
Albany, NY. 12223-4754
Date: 3/18/06
RE: Letter dated 12/21/05
Mr Gordon Batcheller,
Although I appreciate you responding to my letter dated Nov. 17, 2005 it failed to address the issues presented.
These issues refer to documented language and equipment exclusions based on improper language and exclusions of certain cable types.
Since the I.A.F.W.A./B.M.P. has failed to recognize and correct these issues in a timely manner we are compelled to proceed with legal action either through a Legislative process or legal counsel with the assistance of trappers and state and/or national associations.
The I.A.F.W.A./B.M.P. has been aware of these problems since June of 2004. Shortly after receiving your letter I received a phone call from the IAFWA in house attorney, Carol Bambery, suggesting a conference call. I was informed this conference call would take place after my letter was reviewed and discussed. This apparently has not been done in the past three months and the I.A.F.W.A. / B.M.P. continues to promote improper materials which shows an intent to disregard such issues.
The Raymond Thompson Company, Thompson Snares is the oldest, most recognized and respected snare manufacturing business in the world. Established in 1925 this company, through it’s research and development, created what is known as the Modern Steel Snare bringing snaring and capture techniques out of the dark ages. This company continues to design and develop new equipment necessary to keep up with the ever changing functional requirements set forth by agencies.
Failure to consult with this entity has resulted in libelous, misleading, bias and unwarranted language and an exclusion process resulting in continued loss of business to this and other legitimate manufacturers, viable and reasonable equipment and unfair restrictions on the trapping community. To exclude consultation with this business, other equally responsible businesses and the professional trapping community in general is synonymous with the auto industry excluding design engineers in their process. While the process may be somewhat scientific the resulting product is riddled with fault.
Furthermore we understand the reason for the conception of the B.M.P. and who its’ benefactors are. The B.M.P. was created based on an unwritten “gentlemen's” agreement between the U.S. and European Community in an effort to promote U.S. Fur Trade within the European Community. The majority of European countries have no such programs and, in fact, have little or no control regarding trap methods. Major funding for this project is through the International Fur Trade Federation and the U.S.D.A. The Fur Trade Federation is interested in Fur Sales rather than Trap Methods. We also recognize the fact that the B.M.P. has been driven well beyond the scope of the original purpose.
While it is true the I.A.F.W.A./B.M.P. recommendations are to the discretion of state agencies the influence of the I.A.F.W.A./B.M.P. is enormous. Many state agents are members of the I.A.F.W.A. and these recommendations are considered as approved and accepted. This is much like the unwritten gentlemen’s agreement between the I.A.F.W.A./B.M.P. and the European Community. This results in states adopting such recommendations into regulatory requirements.
By distributing findings to state agencies based on faulty information and highly selective devices creates a false impression that non tested devices are not acceptable. When this occurs many perfectly qualified and proper devices become restricted simply from lack of testing resulting in loss of effective equipment selection having no connection with humane methods whatsoever and may very well reflect on Fair Trade Law. In June of 2006 Samara Truso noted “One of the goals of the I.A.F.W..A. is to create “standardized” and uniform equipment”.
The use of written materials continuing false, misleading, bias, libelous and preferential language has gone on since the B.M.P. process began. The advice and instruction of a very small selection of device makers has also been induced within the program creating studies in favor of a very small group.
Furthermore, many trappers and state / national organizations have concerns pertaining to the I.A.F.W.A./B.M.P. are as follows:
Exclusion of trappers advice and input.
Recommendations are not made available for review by the trapping community.
Failure to consult with all primary device manufacturers.
Creating equipment design criteria which is best left to the manufactures.
Failure to check accuracy of information.
Selective advisement for a small group of manufacturers.
Recommending unreasonable time check requirements on trap sets.
Once again, we enclose accurate information for your review and samples of our current design developments.
We are requesting immediate response to these issues. Without this we can only proceed in a manner best suited for correcting these issues.
cc: Don MacClauchlan / I.A.F.W.A. 444 North Capital St N.W. Suite 725 Washington D.C. 20001
Cordially,
R.L. Sinrud
Raymond Thompson Company
Thompson Snares
Gordon Batcheller, BMP Chair
NY State DEC
625 Broadway
Albany, NY. 12223-4754
Date: 3/18/06
RE: Letter dated 12/21/05
Mr Gordon Batcheller,
Although I appreciate you responding to my letter dated Nov. 17, 2005 it failed to address the issues presented.
These issues refer to documented language and equipment exclusions based on improper language and exclusions of certain cable types.
Since the I.A.F.W.A./B.M.P. has failed to recognize and correct these issues in a timely manner we are compelled to proceed with legal action either through a Legislative process or legal counsel with the assistance of trappers and state and/or national associations.
The I.A.F.W.A./B.M.P. has been aware of these problems since June of 2004. Shortly after receiving your letter I received a phone call from the IAFWA in house attorney, Carol Bambery, suggesting a conference call. I was informed this conference call would take place after my letter was reviewed and discussed. This apparently has not been done in the past three months and the I.A.F.W.A. / B.M.P. continues to promote improper materials which shows an intent to disregard such issues.
The Raymond Thompson Company, Thompson Snares is the oldest, most recognized and respected snare manufacturing business in the world. Established in 1925 this company, through it’s research and development, created what is known as the Modern Steel Snare bringing snaring and capture techniques out of the dark ages. This company continues to design and develop new equipment necessary to keep up with the ever changing functional requirements set forth by agencies.
Failure to consult with this entity has resulted in libelous, misleading, bias and unwarranted language and an exclusion process resulting in continued loss of business to this and other legitimate manufacturers, viable and reasonable equipment and unfair restrictions on the trapping community. To exclude consultation with this business, other equally responsible businesses and the professional trapping community in general is synonymous with the auto industry excluding design engineers in their process. While the process may be somewhat scientific the resulting product is riddled with fault.
Furthermore we understand the reason for the conception of the B.M.P. and who its’ benefactors are. The B.M.P. was created based on an unwritten “gentlemen's” agreement between the U.S. and European Community in an effort to promote U.S. Fur Trade within the European Community. The majority of European countries have no such programs and, in fact, have little or no control regarding trap methods. Major funding for this project is through the International Fur Trade Federation and the U.S.D.A. The Fur Trade Federation is interested in Fur Sales rather than Trap Methods. We also recognize the fact that the B.M.P. has been driven well beyond the scope of the original purpose.
While it is true the I.A.F.W.A./B.M.P. recommendations are to the discretion of state agencies the influence of the I.A.F.W.A./B.M.P. is enormous. Many state agents are members of the I.A.F.W.A. and these recommendations are considered as approved and accepted. This is much like the unwritten gentlemen’s agreement between the I.A.F.W.A./B.M.P. and the European Community. This results in states adopting such recommendations into regulatory requirements.
By distributing findings to state agencies based on faulty information and highly selective devices creates a false impression that non tested devices are not acceptable. When this occurs many perfectly qualified and proper devices become restricted simply from lack of testing resulting in loss of effective equipment selection having no connection with humane methods whatsoever and may very well reflect on Fair Trade Law. In June of 2006 Samara Truso noted “One of the goals of the I.A.F.W..A. is to create “standardized” and uniform equipment”.
The use of written materials continuing false, misleading, bias, libelous and preferential language has gone on since the B.M.P. process began. The advice and instruction of a very small selection of device makers has also been induced within the program creating studies in favor of a very small group.
Furthermore, many trappers and state / national organizations have concerns pertaining to the I.A.F.W.A./B.M.P. are as follows:
Exclusion of trappers advice and input.
Recommendations are not made available for review by the trapping community.
Failure to consult with all primary device manufacturers.
Creating equipment design criteria which is best left to the manufactures.
Failure to check accuracy of information.
Selective advisement for a small group of manufacturers.
Recommending unreasonable time check requirements on trap sets.
Once again, we enclose accurate information for your review and samples of our current design developments.
We are requesting immediate response to these issues. Without this we can only proceed in a manner best suited for correcting these issues.
cc: Don MacClauchlan / I.A.F.W.A. 444 North Capital St N.W. Suite 725 Washington D.C. 20001
Cordially,
R.L. Sinrud
Raymond Thompson Company
Thompson Snares