The reappointment of the Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP as Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has been welcomed by the UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC).
BASC chairman Alan Jarrett said: “We welcome Elizabeth Truss back to the role of Defra Secretary of State. Defra plays a hugely important role in shaping the British countryside. BASC wants to see a vibrant and successful rural economy and a healthy countryside.
“We know she has been hugely supportive of shooting’s role in everything from landscape-scale conservation projects to local habitat creation and management and recognises shooting as a cornerstone of the countryside.
“Shooting generates £2 billion for the economy and is responsible for £250 million pounds of spending on conservation work every year. We look forward to shooting’s role continuing to be recognised and enhanced by sensible polices from Defra under her leadership.”
BASC chief executive Richard Ali said: “Shooting plays a vital role in Britain. It is good for the economy, good for conservation and good for people’s social and personal wellbeing. We look forward to further building on our already constructive relationship with Defra and we will be working to highlight and enhance the contribution which shooting makes to the countryside and to life in Britain.”
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For more information please call the BASC press office on 01244 573052 or email press@0ld.basc.org.uk