UK METAL DETECTING

Samuel · Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Posts: 153

ive read theyve banned it in other EU countrys so its got to be a possibility they might ban it in the uk one day?

rayredditch · Joined: 03 Jul 2007 Posts: 222

They´re trying very hard to get laws that are very harsh in European Countries, made European Law, which would effectively ban metal detecting to a dfew licenced butt creepers. Over here the detecting law varies county to county, only 3 or 4 allow it (Out of 16), and of these, two give 100% compensation (But worse prices than PAS), and the other one or two max. 50%. The rest just confiscate everything. Most only have an eyes only permit, metal detector use is frowned upon, and mostly forbidden. If you find something in the other counties, and you haven´t one of the very rare licences (Also very expensive, my mate pay´s allmost 600.00 a year to detect 3 councils), then you loose the find, the detector, get fined and a criminal conviction, and if a repeat offender, or a valuable article, then you also risk prison.
What price PAS when the EU law comes in ?

UK Brian · Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 431 Location: Wales

Its not just Europe. In South America you could drift in, gold hunt and drift out. Now there are laws/rules that can prove an effective ban though on the surface they seem good ie you can detect into the next country by fifty miles without permission (think the idea of this was for the dirt poor natives who would move around as they had for generations). The stinger in the tale is that you need to be a citizen of one of the countries to gain from the fifty mile rule but under rule of law it now seems you should now be a citizen to detect for gold full stop.

Samuel · Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Posts: 153

they cant ban it in the uk that would be madness

What do they stand to gain from banning it and how would they enforce it?

pufin · Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 2:46 pm Post subject:

Like prohibition in the states, it would send detecting underground, encourage night-hawking.

So a complete ban would be pointless. This is why Archi's in this country are changing the way they are dealing with detecting. If you can't beat um. Bring them into the fold!

Just hope that the present mode of official thinking does not change to a negative.

Samuel · Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Posts: 153

the way i see i is if it wasnt for detectors then items would never be found so the percent that does get recorded is better than nothing

kered · Joined: 29 Sep 2007 Posts: 97 Location: NW Spain

Try telling that to the Spanish government, they rather have it covered in cement as a parking lot(spose that way its conserved forever Smile

)

Samuel · Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Posts: 153

can you still buy and own metal detectors in spain?

kered · Joined: 29 Sep 2007 Posts: 97 Location: NW Spain

Strange but yes you can, but its slowly getting banned, first La Rioja and now Andalucia just a matter of time before the rest folow suite i imagine

rayredditch · Joined: 03 Jul 2007 Posts: 222

The EU will have everything banned soon, just a matter of time. A few stick in the mud archies, a few barford/swift types, and unfortunately some of them are politicians, and others move in political circles.

UK Brian · Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 431 Location: Wales

Be interesting to know just what the present Spanish rules are. I know you get caught in to ways ie they don't want historical sites disturbed but they can catch you on the grounds of interference with the Navy? military transmissions ? even if your in the middle of a beach. But the original prosecutions rested partly on the use of a machine 'not legally imported' which suggests other machines have been legally imported.

kered · Joined: 29 Sep 2007 Posts: 97 Location: NW Spain

From what i've read and been told by detectorists, detecting is completely banned in Andalucia from the 14th of november, some seam to think that the beaches are still open, this ban has a clause that you may apply for permision but you must give reason, date and time to start and finish and also the location and permision may be provided, it also says that if permision is not forthcoming within 2 months you can take it as denied.(who is going to know that they will have an hour or two free 2 months in advance)useless clause really

I have not sean or heard of the interfearence with milatary angle on any forum, the main reason is the prevention of pillaging/plundering of natural heratage i think brought on by the Oddesey incedent. they call it expolio(plundering without permision)

As far as detectors are concerned there is a list of permited detectors, virtually all are on it but with a restriction of maximum coil diameter of 40cm, any other addons like the twin arials on the garret are also prohibited.(i have the pdf of the permited detectors should anyone want it)
by legaly imported, something was lost in the translation as it is more like type approved hence the list of legalized detectors

the Spanish have never been a nation for getting together and fighting for thier rights against unjust laws/decisions(they new it was comming over a year ago and did nothing)wait and see attitude, there are a few associations trying to get the members legalised and permission but the majority i think are sitting on the fence waiting for the others to do the dirty work so that they can benefit. I am not yet a menber of any federation or association as the anual fee is over 40 quid per year and you must pay the total even if you join in december so i'll wait till the end of the month.

A lot of the people that count as far as the banning is concearned are under the impresion that metal detectorists are cleaning the ground of all manner of things, porcelain, art, and any number of non metalic relics never to be sean again.

As i find out more i will let you know, for the people that are thinking of taking a holiday forget it, if you do find anything no way can you take it out of the country unless smuggled(over here even the traffic wardens have Guns)so be warned