A cross-party group has been set up in the Welsh Assembly to promote shooting and conservation.
The group has been set up by Assembly Members and will be supported by the UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC).
It was officially launched at the Senedd in Cardiff. The value of shooting to the economy, the environment and social life in Wales was outlined at the launch. A game canapé reception was held and politicians had a chance to have a lesson on BASC’s shooting simulator before the group’s first official meeting.
They also had a chance to talk to BASC staff and members of BASC’s Wales committee.
Gary Ashton, BASC Wales director, said: “The latest research shows shooting is worth £75 million a year to the Welsh economy and supports the equivalent of at least 2,400 full-time jobs. There are around 76,000 people in Wales who shoot.
“We hope that this cross-party group will help us to address issues which are close to our members’ hearts at the heart of Welsh Government.”
Mike Sherman, vice-chairman of BASC Council and chairman of BASC’s Wales Committee, said: “We are delighted to have launched this new cross-party group on shooting and conservation in Wales. The group hopes to improve awareness of the benefits of shooting to conservation in Wales and to identify opportunities to promote and grow the sector.”
Andrew R T Davies AM, the leader of the Welsh Conservatives and the chair of the group’s first meeting, said: “Shooting is an important part of the Welsh countryside. It brings tourists to Wales and provides jobs and supports the rural economy. I hope this new group will help and encourage the positive contributions which shooting and its related conservation brings to the Welsh countryside.”
ENDS
Pictured is (left to right): Andrew R.T. Davies AM, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, BASC Wales director Gary Ashton and Angela Burns AM, chair of the Cross Party Group on Shooting and Conservation.