BASC has written to new Environment Secretary Michael Gove to outline shooting’s value to conservation and biodiversity.
The UK’s largest shooting organisation will seek a meeting with Mr Gove to highlight that shooting has a management influence on two thirds of the UK’s rural land area and that shoot providers spend nearly £250 million-a-year on conservation.
BASC political affairs manager Sophie Hutchinson said: “We have enjoyed excellent working relationships with previous environment secretaries and we hope that continues with Mr Gove, who has previously expressed support for shooting.
“Our experts have worked closely with Defra ministers and civil servants on legislation and policy that affects shooting and we hope that relationship will continue.”
BASC chairman Peter Glenser said: “BASC will continue working with government to ensure that shooting continues to flourish and deliver for both the environment and the economy.
“Shooting is worth £2 billion to the UK economy annually, provides the equivalent of 74,000 full-time jobs and has a management influence on two thirds of the UK’s rural land area.”