BASC will evidence shooting’s value to conservation and the economy in an official response to a Natural Resources Wales (NRW) review of firearms use on land it manages.
The UK’s largest shooting organisation will highlight the independent Value of Shooting Report which found that shooting is worth £75 million annually to the Welsh economy and supports the equivalent of 2,400 full-time jobs.
BASC will also explain how shooting directly supports the equivalent of 490 full-time conservation jobs when it calls on NRW to preserve ‘shooting lets’ on public land.
BASC previously wrote to the Welsh government to correct glaring inaccuracies in an online petition by animal rights extremists which demanded a block on the letting land for shooting.
Steve Bloomfield, BASC’s acting Director Wales, said: “BASC raised concerns that a group which campaigned against eating turkey at Christmas was misleading the public in an attempt to force NRW into removing shooting lets.
“All the positive work by land managers and those who shoot risks being derailed if government feels pressurised by a small number of committed activists, particularly those who are anti-shooting.
“Decisions about land use should be based on facts, not emotive posturing. Extremists deal only in emotive rhetoric and misinformation. But when the evidence is presented, it will be obvious to NRW that shooting is massively important to the Welsh countryside and those who live and work in it.
“BASC has an excellent relationship with policy makers and will continue to work hard with NRW to promote the sport of shooting and to represent the interests of all those who make a living from shooting.”
Duncan Greaves, chair of BASC’s Wales committee, said: “Shooting brings a much-needed economic boost to local areas, provide recreation, improve the well-being of participants, support conservation, provide employment and promote good land-management.”
ENDS
Note to Editors: Value of Shooting Report – http://www.shootingfacts.co.uk/pdf/The-Value-of-Shooting-2014.pdf
For more information, please contact BASC's press office on 01244 573007 or email press@basc.org.uk
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