NPA seeking views for drone consultation response
10th Aug 2018 / By Alistair Driver
The NPA is seeking views from members to inform our response to a Government consultation on the use of drones in the UK.
The Department for Transport has published the document, Taking Flight: The Future of Drones in the UK, in recognition that the use of drones is developing at a rapid rate across many sectors. DfT stressed that it would welcome responses from all areas.
The consultation proposes policies for controlling drone use and enforcement, including giving enforcement bodies more power to properly police drone use and penalise incorrect use, including the possible use of fixed penalty notices. There is a proposed minimum age requirement for use, counter drone technology system proposals and plans for a Flight Information and Notification System (FINS).
Drones are used in farming, for example for monitoring crops, but use of them can also be problematic.
The NPA will be considering issues such as the use of drones for spying on farms, the potential for drones to scare animals, distract staff and even biosecurity concerns if they land close to livestock.
We would like to hear from NPA members.
If you have had any experience of drones affecting your business or any concerns you would like us to feed into the consultation, please let us know by emailing NPA@NPAnet.org.uk