FOI request (FOIR-537394606)

Virtual fencing - Hastings Country Park

Requested Mon 07 August 2023
Responded Tue 15 August 2023

Virtual fencing has been in place for some time in the Firehills. It is now proposed to expand the number of cattle and extend the grazing areas of the cattle.

Please provide under EIR:

1. Details of the virtual fencing to be used including costs, and technical specifications.

2. Locations where the virtual fencing will be used.

3. Copies of all consultations carried out by HBC with other parties.

4. Copies of all documents (including emails and correspondence) concerning health and safety assessments for the public.

5. Copies of all documents (including emails and correspondence) concerning welfare issues for the cattle with the use of virtual fencing.

6. Copies of all documents (including emails and correspondence) concerning the use of virtual fencing in the Country Park.

Response

1. The technical specification can be found on the Nofence website:

https://www.nofence.no/en-gb/

The cost of use is £5 per collar per month.

2. It will be used throughout the nature reserve where grazing is the management prescription.

3. Not applicable. There is no requirement to consult over the use of the virtual fencing system.

4. Hastings Borough Council is currently developing a Risk Assessment in collaboration with other local authorities and organisations who use the virtual fencing system and will publish this prior to cattle grazing land at the Firehills.

5. The system is widely used in the UK. More information can obtained through the Nofence website:

https://www.nofence.no/en-gb/what-is-nofence

6. The use of virtual fencing is an objective in the Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve Management Plan 2020-2030. The management plan can be found on our website:

https://www.hastings.gov.uk/content/parks_gardens_allotments/park_management/438047/Hastings_Country_Park_Nature_Reserve_Management_Plan_2020-2030.pdf