An email survey asking for information on shooting will be sent to a random sample of BASC members in the coming days. Information collected from this survey will help to inform a major report on the economic, environmental and social contributions of shooting in all its forms in the UK.
BASC members who receive the survey are asked to take the time to fill it out because the final report will underpin the case for shooting in the future. The survey is being carried out by an independent research company; Public and Corporate Economic Consultants (PACEC). Individual data will be used anonymously to build a national picture.
The report will update one produced in 2006, which revealed that live quarry shooting is worth £1.6bn every year to the economy and that shooting is involved in the management of two-thirds of the rural land area in the UK. It also showed that people who shoot spend £250m a year on conservation work.
The new study will update and expand on those findings and will bring target shooting sports such as clay pigeon and rifle target shooting into the equation. It will also quantify the social benefits of shooting.
Members of 17 partner organisations will contribute to the study, managed by BASC, which is due to be published later in 2014 ahead of the general election and the Scottish referendum on independence.
Richard Ali, BASC chief executive, said: “The value of this study for the future of shooting is immense. It will be independent and scientifically valid. If you receive an email invitation, please take part – the information you give will be treated confidentially and will safeguard and promote our sport.”
The partner organisations involved in commissioning the study are: BASC, the British Shooting Sports Council, the Countryside Alliance, the Country Land and Business Association, the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association, the Game Farmers’ Association, the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, GunsonPegs, the Gun Trade Association, the Moorland Association, the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation, the National Rifle Association, the National Small Bore Rifle Association, the Scottish Country Sports Tourism Group, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Land and Estates and Scottish Natural Heritage.