Sports minister praises shooters and anglers at Rural Reception

Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe has praised the conservation work carried out by shooters and anglers.

The minister was speaking at the Rural Reception which is held at the three major conferences by BASC and The Angling Trust.

Gerry Sutcliffe MP said: “I would like to give a big thank you for the conservation and environmental aspects that BASC and the Angling Trust help to promote and make achievements in.”

The minister also spoke about the future of sport. He said: “The target for the 2012 Olympics is to encourage a further two million people to take up sports, and both shooting and fishing will help immensely in achieving this increase.”

Parliamentary spokesman for angling and shooting, Martin Salter MP, said: “The success of this reception is very much an argument for countryside sports to unite together to produce one manifesto to approach MPs with. This will help MPs better understand the messages and issues that organisations such as BASC and The Angling Trust are trying to put across.”

ENDS